Electronic device, imaging device, image reproduction method, image reproduction program, recording medium with image reproduction program recorded thereupon, and image reproduction device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes: a communication unit that performs communication with an external device; and a control unit that issues a command to the external device via the communication unit, on the basis of at least one of capacity of the external device, and capacity of the electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Division of application Ser. No. 15/852,750 filed on Dec. 22,2017, which in turn is a Division of application Ser. No. 15/171,533filed Jun. 2, 2016, which in turn is a Continuation of application Ser.No. 14/621,971 filed Feb. 13, 2015, which in turn is a Continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 14/473,355 filed Aug. 29, 2014, which in turn is aDivision of Ser. No. 13/509,740 filed May 14, 2012, which in turn is aNational Stage of International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2011/052282filed Feb. 3, 2011, which claims the benefit of Japanese PatentApplication Nos. 2010-035010, 2010-035013, and 2010-035014 filed Feb.19, 2010. The disclosure of each of the prior applications is herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic device, to an imagingdevice, to an image reproduction method, to an image reproductionprogram, to a recording medium with an image reproduction programrecorded thereupon, and to an image reproduction device.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been proposed to operate cameras in pairs (for example, refer toPatent Documents #1 and #2), and it has been proposed to establish sucha pairing using strobe light emitted by the cameras.

Furthermore, a camera system is known with which it is arranged toperform collaborative photography with a plurality of cameras (forexample, refer to Patent Document #3).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

Patent Document #1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 2009-33494.

Patent Document #2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Heisei08-084282.

Patent Document #3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication 2001-008089.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

However, with Patent Document #1, it is necessary for strobe light to beemitted in order to perform the pairing operation, and there is theproblem that this is not applicable for use indoors when light emissionis prohibited, or for use outdoors during daylight.

Moreover, with Patent Document #2, there is the problem that pairedoperation in which photography is performed by both cameras is notincluded.

And, with the camera system of Patent Document #3, there is nodisclosure of any method for reproducing the plurality of images thathave been obtained by collaborative photography by the plurality ofcameras, although it is desirable to reproduce the plurality of imagesthat have been obtained by collaborative photography in an effectivemanner.

Solution to the Problem

According to the 1st aspect of the present invention, an electronicdevice comprises: a communication unit that performs communication withan external device; and a control unit that issues a command to theexternal device via the communication unit, on the basis of at least oneof capacity of the external device, and capacity of the electronicdevice.

According to the 2nd aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the electronic device according to the 1st aspect, the capacityof the external device includes at least one of remaining capacity of abattery, and vacant capacity of a storage medium; and the control unitissues the command to the external device on the basis of at least oneof the remaining capacity of the battery, and the vacant capacity of thestorage medium.

According to the 3rd aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the electronic device according to the 1st or 2nd aspect, thecapacity of the electronic device includes at least one of remainingcapacity of a battery, and vacant capacity of a storage medium; and thecontrol unit issues the command to the external device on the basis ofat least one of the remaining capacity of the battery, and the vacantcapacity of the storage medium.

According to the 4th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the electronic device according to the 3rd aspect, the controlunit stores data sent from the external device on the storage medium.

According to the 5th aspect of the present invention, the electronicdevice according to any one of the 1st through 4th aspects may furthercomprise a display device that displays data sent from the externaldevice.

According to the 6th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the electronic device according to the 5th aspect, the data sentfrom the external device is image data; and the electronic deviceaccording to the 5th aspect may further comprise a processing devicethat performs filter processing upon images to be displayed upon thedisplay device according to the level of reception by the communicationunit when receiving the image data from the external device.

According to the 7th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the electronic device according to the 6th aspect, theprocessing device performs filter processing so that greater an amountof blur of the image becomes, lower the level of reception becomes.

According to the 8th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the electronic device according to any one of the 4th through7th aspects, the communication unit comprises a first communicationdevice that performs communication regarding the capacity of theexternal device, and a second communication device, different from thefirst communication device, that communicates the data sent from theexternal device.

According to the 9th aspect of the present invention, an electronicdevice, comprises: a first communication unit that establishes pairingwith an external device by short distance communication with theexternal device, or by communication via a human body; a secondcommunication unit, different from the first communication unit, thatperforms communication with the external device; and a control unit thatissues a command to the external device via the second communicationunit when the pairing has been established by the first communicationunit with the external device.

According to the 10th aspect of the present invention, the electronicdevice according to the 9th aspect may further comprise: a timer unitthat counts time from when the pairing with the external device isestablished.

According to the 11th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the electronic device according to the 10th aspect, the controlunit cancels the pairing when the time counted by the timer unit exceedspredetermined time period.

According to the 12th aspect of the present invention, the electronicdevice according to any one of the 1st through 11th aspects may furthercomprises: a gravity sensor that detects a direction of gravity; and adetermination unit that determines a master and slave relationship withthe external device on the basis of the output of the gravity sensor.

According to the 13th aspect of the present invention, an imaging devicecomprises: an image capture unit that acquires image data; acommunication unit that performs communication with an external imagingdevice; an acquisition unit that, via the communication unit, acquiresphotographic conditions set by an external imaging device as a pluralityof photographic conditions for the external imaging device; and aphotography control unit that sets a photographic condition that isdifferent at least in part of the photographic conditions for theexternal imaging devices acquired by the acquisition unit as aphotographic condition for the imaging device.

According to the 14th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the imaging device according to the 13th aspect, the photographycontrol unit sets a photographic condition that is a same at least inpart of the photographic conditions for the external devices acquired bythe acquisition unit as a photographic condition for the imaging device.

According to the 15th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the imaging device according to the 13th or 14th aspect, thephotographic condition is at least one of photographic optical systemmagnification ratio, shutter speed, aperture value, sensitivity, andcolor adjustment processing information.

According to the 16th aspect of the present invention, the imagingdevice according to the 15th aspect may further comprise: an imageprocessing unit that performs color adjustment processing upon imagedata acquired by the image capture unit, and wherein: the acquisitionunit acquires the image capture optical system magnification ratio andthe color adjustment processing information that are set by the externalimaging device as the photographic conditions for the external imagingdevice; and the photography control unit, along with setting to amagnification ratio that is different from the image capture opticalsystem magnification ratio of the external imaging device acquired bythe acquisition unit, also controls the image processing unit to performthe color adjustment processing on the basis of color adjustmentprocessing information that is same as the color adjustment processinginformation of the external imaging device acquired by the acquisitionunit.

According to the 17th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the imaging device according to the 16th aspect, the acquisitionunit acquires the image capture optical system magnification ratio andthe color adjustment information that are set by the external imagingdevice, in mutual correspondence, as the photographic conditions for theexternal imaging device; and the photography control unit comparestogether the photographic optical system magnification ratio acquired bythe acquisition unit and the photographic optical system magnificationratio that has been set, and controls the image processing unit toperform color adjustment processing on the basis of the color adjustmentprocessing information corresponding to the image capture optical systemmagnification ratio that is smaller.

According to the 18th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the imaging device according to the 15th aspect, the acquisitionunit acquires the image capture optical system magnification ratio andthe shutter speed that are set by the external imaging device as thephotographic conditions for the external imaging device; and thephotography control unit, along with setting to a magnification ratiothat is different from the magnification ratio of the image captureoptical system of the external imaging device acquired by theacquisition unit, also sets a shatter speed that is same as the shutterspeed of the external imaging device acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the 19th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the imaging device according to the 15th aspect, the acquisitionunit acquires the image capture optical system magnification ratio andthe aperture value that are set by the external imaging device as thephotographic conditions for the external imaging device; and thephotography control unit, along with setting to aperture value that isdifferent from the aperture value of the external imaging deviceacquired by the acquisition unit, also sets a magnification ratio thatis same as the optical system magnification ratio of the externalimaging device acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the 20th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the imaging device according to the 20th aspect, the acquisitionunit acquires the image capture optical system magnification ratio andthe shutter speed that are set by the external imaging device as thephotographic conditions for the external imaging device; and thephotography control unit, along with setting to a shutter speed that isdifferent from the shutter speed of the external imaging device acquiredby the acquisition unit, also sets a magnification ratio that is same asthe optical system magnification ratio of the external imaging deviceacquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the 21st aspect of the present invention, an imaging devicecomprises: an image capture unit that acquires image data; acommunication unit that performs communication with an external imagingdevice; and an image capture control unit that performs predeterminedimage capture processing via communication with the external imagingdevice; wherein the image capture control unit includes an assistanceunit that, on the basis of contents of communication with the externalimaging device, suggests framing so that photography of samephotographic subject as that of the external imaging device is performedfrom a different photographic direction.

According to the 22nd aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the electronic device according to the 21st aspect, theassistance unit comprises: a face detection unit that detects a face onthe basis of the image data from the image capture unit; and aphotographic direction determination unit that determines a direction ofphotography of the face on the basis of the detected face.

According to the 23rd aspect of the present invention, the electronicdevice according to any one of the 13th through 22nd aspects may furthercomprise a recording unit that records the image data acquired by theimage capturing unit in a storage unit; and wherein: the image capturecontrol unit controls the recording unit so as to append information tothe image data acquired by the imaging device while communication isestablished with the external imaging device, the appended informationspecifying that the image data is captured while communication isestablished.

According to the 24th aspect of the present invention, an imaging devicecomprises: an image capture unit that performs image capture; acommunication unit that communicates with another image capture devicethat performs image capture; a requesting unit that, along with issuinga photography request via the communication unit to the another imagecapture device, also issues a storage region creation request to theanother image capture device for creating a storage region for storingat least an image photographed by the other image capture device inresponse to the photography request; a creation unit that creates astorage region in which the image captured by the image capture unit isto be stored, in response to the storage region creation request fromthe another image capture device issued via the communication unit; andan acquisition unit that acquires via the communication unit an imagestored in a storage region created by the another image capture deviceaccording to the storage region creation request.

According to the 25th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the imaging device according to the 24th aspect, the acquisitionunit stores the acquired image in the storage region created by thecreation unit.

According to the 26th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the imaging device according to the 24th or 25th aspect, theacquisition unit acquires information when acquiring the image, theinformation specifying time that the image was photographed.

According to the 27th aspect of the present invention, the imagingdevice according to the 26th aspect may further comprise: a display unitthat displays the image; and a control unit that displays images storedin the storage region upon the display unit in order of time series inwhich the images were photographed.

According to the 28th aspect of the present invention, the imagingdevice according to any one of the 24th through 26th aspects may furthercomprise: a display unit that displays the image; and a control unitthat separates images stored in the storage region into images capturedby the image capture unit and images captured by the other image capturedevice and display the images upon the display unit.

According to the 29th aspect of the present invention, the imagingdevice according to any one of the 24th through 26th aspects may furthercomprise: a display unit that displays the image; a decision unit thatmakes a decision as to whether or not the image stored in the storageregion is an image of a person; and a control unit that displays theimages upon the display unit according to the result of the decision bythe decision unit.

According to the 30th aspect of the present invention, the imagingdevice according to any one of the 24th through 26th aspects may furthercomprise: a display unit that displays the image; a decision unit thatmakes a decision as to whether or not the image stored in the storageregion is a scenery image; and a control unit that displays the imagesupon the display unit according to result of the decision by thedecision unit.

According to the 31st aspect of the present invention, the imagingdevice according to any one of the 24th through 30th aspects may furthercomprise: a selection unit that, when a plurality of images photographedby the image capture unit and the another image capture device atsubstantially same moment have been photographed are stored in thestorage region, selects either one of the images and displays it uponthe display unit.

According to the 32nd aspect of the present invention, the imagingdevice according to the 31st aspect may further comprise: a contourextraction unit that analyzes each of the plurality of images that havebeen photographed at substantially same moment and performs contourextraction thereupon; and wherein: the selection unit selects, among theplurality of images that have been photographed at substantially samemoment, an image for which the amount of contour extraction by thecontour extraction unit is high.

According to the 33rd aspect of the present invention, the imagingdevice according to the 31st aspect may further comprise: a facedetection unit that analyzes each of the plurality of images that havebeen photographed at substantially same moment and performs smiling facedetection thereupon to detect a degree of smiling thereof; and wherein:the selection unit selects, among the plurality of images that have beenphotographed at substantially same moment, an image for which the degreeof smiling according to the smiling face detection unit is high.

According to the 34th aspect of the present invention, an imagereproduction method that reproduces a plurality of images photographedby a plurality of imaging devices, each of the plurality of images beingcorresponded to information related to its opposite party in photographyand photographic time point information, in which are executed:collection processing for collecting the plurality of imagesphotographed by the plurality of imaging devices into image groups onthe basis of the information related to opposite parties in photographyand the photographic time point information; and reproduction processingfor reproducing the plurality of images included in the image groups inorder of photographic time point according to the photographic timepoint information.

According to the 35th aspect of the present invention, it is preferredthat in the image reproduction method according to the 34th aspect, inthe reproduction processing, among the plurality of images included inthe image groups, after reproduction of images captured by a firstimaging device in order of the photographic time point, images capturedby a second imaging device are reproduced in order of the photographictime point.

According to the 36th aspect of the present invention, the imagereproduction method according to any one of the 34th aspect may furtherinclude: decision processing for making a decision as to whether or notthe plurality of images included in the image groups are images thatwere photographed with a person as a subject; and wherein: in thereproduction processing, after the images, among the plurality of imagesincluded in the image groups, that were captured by a first imagingdevice have been reproduced in order of the photographic time point,subsequently the images that were captured by a second imaging deviceare reproduced in order of the photographic time point if the decisionhas been made in the decision processing that the images werephotographed with a person as a subject; while all of the imagesincluded in the image groups are reproduced in order of the photographictime point if the decision has been made in the decision processing thatthe images were photographed with a person as a subject.

According to the 37th aspect of the present invention, the imagereproduction method according to any one of the 34th through 36thaspects may further include: selection processing for selecting one ofthe plurality of images included in the image groups as an image to bereproduced if, among the plurality of images included in the imagegroups, there are a plurality of images that have been photographed atsubstantially same moment; and wherein: in the reproduction processingthe image selected in the selection processing is reprocuded.

According to the 38th aspect of the present invention, the imagereproduction method according to the 37th aspect may further include:contour extraction processing for analyzing the plurality of images,among the plurality of images included in the image groups, that werephotographed at substantially same moment and for performing contourextraction thereupon; and wherein: in the selection processing, theimage for which the contour extraction amount obtained in the contourextraction processing is the highest among the plurality of images thatwere photographed at substantially same moment is selected as image forreproduction.

According to the 39th aspect of the present invention, the imagereproduction method according to the 37th aspect may further include:smiling face detection processing for analyzing the plurality of images,among the plurality of images included in the image groups, that werephotographed at substantially same moment and for detecting a degree ofsmiling thereof; and wherein: in the selection processing, the imagesfor which the degree of smiling obtained in the smiling face detectionprocessing is highest among the plurality of images that werephotographed at substantially same moment is selected as image forreproduction.

According to the 40th aspect of the present invention, an imagereproduction program causes a computer to execute all of the processingof an image reproduction method according to any one of the 34th through39th aspects.

According to the 41st aspect of the present invention, a recordingmedium records an image reproduction program according to the 40thaspect.

According to the 42nd aspect of the present invention, an imagereproduction device comprises: a memory in which an image reproductionprogram according to the 1st aspect is recorded; and a microcomputerthat executes the image reproduction program.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the 1st and 2nd aspect of the present invention, it ispossible to perform paired operation in an appropriate manner,irrespective of whether the equipment is indoors or outdoors.

Furthermore, according to the 34th aspect of the present invention, itis possible to reproduce the plurality of images effectively insuccession, which are photographed in collaborative photography by theplurality of the imaging device

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic camera according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of this electronic camera;

FIG. 3 is a figure showing an example of an operating menu screen;

FIG. 4 is a figure showing an example of a screen for setting a pairingformation condition;

FIG. 5 is a figure showing an example of a paired person setting screen;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explanation of a flow of processing forestablishing pairing;

FIG. 7 is a figure showing an example of an “upper” decision table;

FIG. 8 is a figure showing an example of a pairing OFF timer settingscreen;

FIG. 9 is a figure showing an example of a screen that is displayedduring photograph registration processing;

FIG. 10 is a figure showing an example of a “folder display” screen upona “parent machine”;

FIG. 11 is a figure showing an example of a “folder display” screen upona “child machine”;

FIG. 12 is a figure showing an example of a thumbnail list display;

FIG. 13 is a figure showing an example of a through image that is beingdisplayed upon a “parent machine”;

FIG. 14 is a figure showing an example of a through image that is beingdisplayed upon a “child machine”;

FIG. 15 is a figure showing an example of a through image that is beingdisplayed upon the “parent machine”;

FIG. 16 is a figure showing an example of a through image that is beingdisplayed upon the “child machine”;

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of processing flow that isperformed by a CPU when performing cooperative photography of a type #1;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of processing flow that isperformed by the CPU when performing cooperative photography of a type#2;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of processing flow that isperformed by the CPU when performing normal photography

FIG. 20 is a figure showing an example of a “left side” decision table;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an image reproduction program of anelectronic camera according to a second embodiment; and

FIG. 22 is a figure for explanation of the overall structure ofapparatus that is used for supplying a manufactured program product.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following, embodiments for implementation of the presentinvention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

The First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explanation of an example of the structureof an electronic camera 1 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 1, the electronic camera 1 includes a photographicoptical system 11, an imaging element 12, an AFE (Analog Front End)circuit 13, an image processing circuit 14, a speaker drive circuit 15,a speaker 16, an LCD monitor 17, a RAM 18, a flash memory 19, a CPU 20,a memory card interface (I/F) 21, a communication control circuit 22,operating members 23, an attitude sensor 24, an audio processing circuit25, a stereo mike 26, an illumination device 28, a power supply circuit29, and a lens drive circuit 30.

The CPU 20, the RAM 18, the flash memory 19, the memory card interface21, the communication control circuit 22, the audio processing circuit25, the lens drive circuit 30, the image processing circuit 14, theillumination device 28, the speaker drive circuit 15, and the LCDmonitor 17 are all connected together via a bus 27.

The photographic optical system 11 is built up from a plurality of lensgroups that include a zoom lens and a focusing lens, and forms an imageof a photographic subject upon an image capture surface of the imagingelement 12. It should be understood that, for simplification of thedrawing, the photographic optical system 11 is shown in FIG. 1 as beinga single lens.

The imaging element 12 consists of a CMOS image sensor or the like inwhich light reception elements are arranged as a two dimensional arrayupon the image capture surface. This imaging element 12photoelectrically converts the image of the photographic subject formedby the photographic optical system 11 and generates an analog imagesignal therefrom. This analog image signal is inputted to the AFEcircuit 13.

The AFE circuit 13 performs analog processing such as correlated doublesampling and gain adjustment and so on upon the analog image signal, andconverts the image signal after this analog processing into digitalimage data. This digital image data is inputted to the image processingcircuit 14. And the image processing circuit 14 subjects the digitalimage data to various types of image processing (such as colorinterpolation processing, tone conversion processing, contourenhancement processing, white balance adjustment processing, imagecompression processing, image expansion processing, and so on).

On the basis of audio data sent from the CPU 20, the speaker drivecircuit 15 generates reproduced audio signals such as, for example,operating sounds, warning sounds, audio messages, and so on. And thespeaker 16 performs audio reproduction on the basis of these reproducedaudio signals.

The LCD monitor 17 includes a liquid crystal panel, and displays imagesand operating menu screens and so on according to commands from the CPU20. And the RAM 18 is used as a work memory for the CPU 20. Moreover,the RAM 18 temporarily stores digital image data before processing bythe image processing circuit 14 and digital image data after suchprocessing. The flash memory 19 stores a program to be executed by theCPU 20, and also stores data for reference that will be describedhereinafter.

The CPU 20 is a photography control unit that controls the operationsperformed by the electronic camera 1 by executing a program stored inthe flash memory 19. The CPU 20 also performs control of AF (auto focus)operation and of automatic exposure (AE) operation. For example, forthis AF operation, a contrast detection method may be employed in whicha focused position for the focusing lens (not shown in the figures) isobtained on the basis of contrast information in a through image. Thethrough image is an image for monitoring that is repeatedly acquired bythe imaging element 12 at predetermined time intervals (for example at30 frames per second), before a command for photography. The CPU 20 isalso endowed with a time counting function, by which it counts time onthe basis of a clock signal.

The memory card interface 21 has a connector (not shown in the figures),and a storage medium 51 such as a memory card or the like is connectedto this connector. The memory card interface 21 performs writing of datato the storage medium 51 that is connected thereto, and reading of datafrom the storage medium 51. The storage medium 51 consists of a memorycard or the like that internally houses a semiconductor memory.

The communication control circuit 22 controls communication with anexternal device according to commands from the CPU 20. Thiscommunication control circuit 22 includes a wireless communicationcircuit, and transmits and receives radio waves via an antenna 22 a. Inthis first embodiment, an example will be explained in which wirelesscommunication is performed with another electronic camera 1 that has asimilar structure to that of this electronic camera 1. It should beunderstood that, preferably, the wireless communication circuit includesa circuit, for example a RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), formeasuring the intensity of the signal that is received and forperforming control of the range of the signal that is transmitted.

The communication control circuit 22 also has a human body communicationfunction for performing communication via a human body according tocommands from the CPU 20. In concrete terms, electrodes 22 b through 22e for transmission and reception are arranged on the upper, lower,right, and left surfaces of the casing of the electronic camera 1 so asto be exposed (refer to FIG. 2). This is a system (refer toRe-publication 2006/054706) according to which a closed circuit isestablished between the electronic cameras 1 by their bodies and by thecapacitance coupling between their bodies by the user of this electroniccamera 1 and the user of the other electronic camera 1 doing asdescribed below, so that communication can be performed between the twoelectronic cameras 1 by using these two human bodies as antennas. Indetail, a closed circuit is established by the user of this electroniccamera 1 and the user of the other electronic camera 1 each grasping hiselectronic camera 1 with his one hand so as to touch at least one of thetransmission/reception electrodes thereof, and by the two users thenclasping together their other hands that are not grasping the electroniccameras 1. It should be understood that it would also be acceptable forthe communication control unit 22 to be provided with a cablecommunication function, in which it performs communication via a cableupon command from the CPU 20. In this case, a LAN cable port or the likenot shown in the figures would be provided.

The operating members 23 include a release button 23 a, zoom switches 23b and 23 c, a cruciform switch 23 g, a menu switch 23 e, and so on thatwill be described hereinafter (refer to FIG. 2). And, in response tovarious operations such as mode changeover operation and menu selectionoperation and so on, the operating members 23 send operation signals tothe CPU 20.

The attitude sensor 24, for example, detects the direction of gravity,and sends its detection signal to the CPU 20. And the CPU 20 determinesthe attitude of the electronic camera 1 on the basis of this detectionsignal. In concrete terms, the CPU 20 not only decides whether theelectronic camera 1 is in the vertical position or in the horizontalposition, but also decides whether or not it is upside down.

The audio processing circuit 25 amplifies an audio signal captured bythe mike 26, and converts the signal after amplification to digitalaudio data with an A/D conversion circuit (not shown in the figures).And the illumination device 28 is a device for illuminating thephotographic subject during night-time photography. Moreover, uponcommand from the CPU 20, the power supply circuit 29 supplies voltagefrom a battery 52 to the various sections of this electronic camera 1,and also detects the voltage of the battery 52 and sends a signalspecifying the voltage that it has detected to the CPU 20 as batteryremaining capacity information.

The lens drive circuit 30 includes a circuit that drives a motor forfocus adjustment (not shown in the figures) and a circuit that drives amotor for zoom adjustment (also not shown in the figures). The motor forfocus adjustment adjusts the focus by shifting the focusing lensincluded in the photographic optical system 11 forwards and backwardsalong the direction of the optical axis. And the motor for zoomadjustment adjusts the magnification ratio by shifting the zoom lensincluded in the photographic optical system 11 forwards and backwardsalong the direction of the optical axis. This lens drive circuit 30drives both the motor for focus adjustment and also the motor for zoomadjustment according to commands from the CPU 20.

In the state in which communication has been established with anotherelectronic camera 1 (both of them having a similar structure), the CPU20 of the electronic camera 1 performs predetermined cooperationprocessing. The state in which communication is established between thiselectronic camera 1 and another electronic camera 1 and predeterminedcooperation processing can be executed will subsequently be termed“pairing”. The state in which such predetermined cooperation processingcan be executed is a state in which commands related to operation and soon can be mutually transmitted and received between this electroniccamera 1 and the other electronic camera 1. Moreover, this cooperationprocessing is not particularly limited; for example, processing such asthe following is included as being cooperation processing. Examples are:processing to make the other electronic camera 1 execute the sameoperation as this electronic camera 1; processing to make the otherelectronic camera 1 execute a different operation from that of thiselectronic camera 1; processing to cause information such as image dataor the like to be transmitted to the other electronic camera 1; and soon. Normally, after communication has been established by a command anddata being transmitted from one of this electronic camera 1 and theother electronic camera 1 to the other, and by the electronic camera 1that has received this command and data replying to the electroniccamera 1 that was the source of command transmission, subsequentlypairing of the electronic cameras 1 becomes established upon thefulfillment of some predetermined condition that will be describedhereinafter. It should be understood that cable communication, wirelesscommunication, human body communication or the like may, for example, becited as methods for communication between this electronic camera 1 andthe other electronic camera 1. Moreover, it would also be acceptable toemploy appropriate combinations of these communication methods, forexample human body communication until communication has been set up andwireless communication thereafter, or the like.

It is arranged for it to be possible to change over between a pairedmode in which the above described pairing is performed, and a normalmode in which pairing is not performed. It may, for example, be arrangedfor this mode changeover to be performed according to operation of themode switch 23 d by depressing, or to arrange for such mode changeoverto be performed upon an “operating menu” screen that is being displayedaccording to depressing operation of the menu switch 23 e. In thisexplanation, the processing performed by the CPU 20 will be explainedwith particular attention being directed to the case when changeover tothe paired mode is performed.

—The Pairing formation Conditions—

It is arranged for it to be possible to select from among four pairingformation conditions. Operation to select a pairing formation conditionis performed in advance as follows, before performing communication withthe other electronic camera.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the electronic camera 1. On the rear surface ofthe electronic camera 1, there are provided: an LCD monitor 17, a zoomswitch 23 b (T), a zoom switch 23 c (W), a mode switch 23 d, a menuswitch 23 e, a delete switch 23 f, a cruciform switch 23 g, and an OKswitch 23 h. Moreover, the above described transmission/receptionelectrode 22 b is provided upon the upper surface of the casing of theelectronic camera 1. Furthermore, the above describedtransmission/reception electrode 22 c is provided upon the lower surfaceof the casing. And the above described transmission/reception electrode22 d is provided upon the right side of the casing, while the abovedescribed transmission/reception electrode 22 d is provided upon theleft side of the casing.

When the menu switch 23 e is operated by being depressed, the CPU 20displays an “operating menu” screen upon the LCD monitor 17, such as theexample shown in FIG. 3. A plurality of items for selection aredisplayed in this “operating menu”, such as for example an item 171“register photograph”, an item 172 “set pairing formation condition”, anitem 173 “pairing OFF timer”, and an item 174 “set paired person”. Whenthe cruciform switch 23 g is operated by being depressed upwards ordownwards while the “operating menu” screen is being displayed, the CPU20 changes the selected item upwards or downwards according to thisoperating signal. It should be understood that FIG. 3 shows the exampleof the state in which the selection item 172 is selected. And when thecruciform switch 23 g is operated by being depressed in the confirmdirection (rightwards confirmation) in the state in which the item 172“pairing formation condition setting” is selected, the CPU 20 displays a“pairing formation condition setting” screen upon the LCD monitor 17, asshown by way of example in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 4, four items for selection as “pairing formation conditions”are displayed: an item 176 “normal”, an item 177 “face identification”,an item 178 “hand clasping”, and an item 179 “camera contact”. When thecruciform switch 23 g is operated by being depressed upwards ordownwards with the screen shown by way of example in FIG. 4 beingdisplayed, the CPU 20 changes the item selected upwards or downwardsaccording to the operation signal. It should be understood that thestate in which the selection item 176 is selected is shown in FIG. 4 asan example. And when the cruciform switch 23 g is operated by beingdepressed in the confirm direction (rightwards confirmation), the CPU 20sets the item that is selected at this time point as the pairingformation condition.

—Normal—

When the pairing formation condition is set to “normal”, the CPU 20establishes a pairing under the condition that communication isestablished with the other electronic camera 1. The communicationcontrol circuit 2 is set in advance to transmit at a power with whichwireless communication can be performed over a predetermined range (forexample 10 m). It should be understood that it is arranged for it to bepossible to change over this transmitting power in advance by menuoperation, so as to limit the communication range stepwise according tocommand from the CPU 20 (for example, to 3 m, 50 cm, or 3 cm).

Instead of changing over the power at which the communication controlcircuit 22 transmits, it would also be acceptable to arrange to changeover between high and low the decision threshold value for determiningwhether or not reception by the communication control circuit 22 istaking place while keeping the power transmitted by the communicationcontrol circuit 22 constant. In this first embodiment, in either ofthese cases, the communication between the two electronic cameras 1 isof the non-contact type.

—Face Identification—

The CPU 20 is endowed with a function of detecting a “face” included inthe through image, and with a function of determining whether or notthis “face” is the “face” of some predetermined person. Since in thisfirst embodiment the “face” of the opposite party is photographed,accordingly the communication between the electronic cameras 1 whenidentifying this “face” is of the non-contact type. The explanation ofthis face detection processing and of this face identificationprocessing will be omitted, since it is prior art technology. When thepairing formation condition is set to “face identification”, then theCPU 20 establishes a pairing based upon this condition “faceidentification” after having established communication with the otherelectronic camera 1. The operation for setting the identity of theperson with whom pairing is to be established is performed in advance inthe following manner before communication with the other electroniccamera 1.

When the cruciform switch 23 g is operated by being depressed in theconfirm direction (rightwards confirmation) in the state in which theitem 174 “paired person” is selected while the “operating menu” screen(FIG. 3) is being displayed, the CPU 20 displays a “paired personsetting” screen upon the LCD monitor 17, as shown by way of example inFIG. 5. From among all of the data for reference recorded (i.e.registered) in the flash memory 19, the CPU 20 reads out thumbnail imagedata for “faces”, and displays these thumbnail images. The data forreference includes thumbnail image data for “faces” and characteristicweight data that has been generated on the basis of that image data.This characteristic weight data is used in the “face identification”described above. The data for reference that is used in “faceidentification” is recorded (i.e. registered) in advance in the flashmemory 19. The procedure for this registration will be describedhereinafter.

In FIG. 5, a thumbnail image is displayed for each of the “faces” ofpersons A, B, and C. A check box is displayed upon the left side of eachof these thumbnail images. For example, a check box 172 is displayedupon the left side of the thumbnail image 171.

When the cruciform switch 23 g is operated by being depressed in theselection direction (i.e. upwards or downwards) with the “paired personsetting” screen being displayed, the CPU 20 shifts the display positionof the cursor 173 upwards or downwards according to the operationsignal. And, when the OK switch 23 h is operated by being depressed, theCPU 20 causes a check mark to be displayed within the check box that issurrounded by the cursor 173. Moreover, when the OK switch 23 h isoperated by being depressed in the state in which a check mark isdisplayed in this check box, the CPU 20 causes that check mark displayedwithin the check box to be removed. And the CPU 20 sets the “faces” forthose thumbnail images upon the “paired person setting” screen for whichcheck marks are displayed as subjects for identification.

—Hand Clasping—

When the pairing formation condition is set to “hand clasping”, the CPU20 establishes a pairing based upon the condition in which data isreceived by the above described human body communication after havingestablished communication with the other electronic camera 1. Forexample, by a closed circuit that is created when the two users of theelectronic camera 1 and the other electronic camera 1 between whichcommunication has been established as described above clasp oneanother's hands (it is sufficient for their skins to come into mutualcontact), a mutual pairing may be established by the electronic cameras1 sending and receiving predetermined data to one another. In this firstembodiment, in this case of hand clasping as well, the communicationbetween the two electronic cameras 1 is of the non-contact type.

—Camera Contacting—

When the pairing formation condition is set to “camera contact”, the CPU20 establishes a pairing based upon the condition in which the twoelectronic cameras 1 come into direct mutual contact after havingestablished communication with the other electronic camera 1. Asdescribed above, the transmission/reception electrodes 22 b through 22 eare arranged upon the upper, lower, left, and right portions of thecasing of each of the electronic cameras 1, so as to be exposed (seeFIG. 2). A large electrical current flows when the electronic cameras 1come into direct mutual contact at any of these transmission/receptionelectrodes 22 b through 22 e, since the impedance of this closed circuitis low as compared to the case during human body communication. The CPU20 determines that the electronic cameras 1 are in mutual contact bydetecting the occurrence of this signal current via the communicationcontrol circuit 22. It should be understood that the communicationcontrol circuit 22 is constructed so as to determine which of thetransmission/reception electrodes 22 b through 22 e are in mutualcontact, and so as to inform the CPU 20 thereof.

The flow of processing performed by the CPU 20 for establishing pairingafter having changed over to the paired mode will now be explained withreference to the flow chart shown by way of example in FIG. 6. This isan example in which the communication before establishment ofcommunication is by wireless communication. When the CPU 20 of theelectronic camera 1 and the CPU of the other electronic camera 1 arechanged over to the paired mode, each of them starts a program forperforming the processing shown in FIG. 6.

In a step S11 of FIG. 6, the CPU 20 issues a communication request, andthen the flow of control proceeds to a step S12. For example, the CPU 20may send a command to the communication control circuit 22, so as tocause it to transmit a communication request command at a transmissionpower that can reach another electronic camera 1 that is positionedwithin the above described range of 10 m. In the step S12, the CPU 20decides whether or not there has been any reply to this communicationrequest. And if a reply has been received by the communication controlcircuit 22, then the CPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision in this stepS12 and the flow of control proceeds to a step S13. But if no reply hasbeen received, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in this stepS12 and the flow of control is transferred to a step S17.

In the step S13, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not thepairing formation condition is “normal”. And, if the pairing formationcondition is set to “normal”, then the CPU 20 reaches an affirmativedecision in this step S13 and the flow of control is transferred to astep S16. But if the pairing formation condition is not set to “normal”,then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in this step S13 and theflow of control is transferred to a step S14.

In the step S16, along with the CPU 20 sending a command to thecommunication control circuit 22 and causing it to transmit aconfirmation signal to the other electronic camera 1, it also incrementsby one a counter that counts the number of times of pairing formationwith the other electronic camera 1 that is the recipient, and then theflow of control is transferred to a step S27. The confirmation signal isa signal that the “parent machine” sends to the “child machine” in thepairing. Here the establishment of pairings for the various IDs ismanaged by including identification information for the communicationrequesting side (for example, the ID of the electronic camera 1) in theabove described communication request, and by including identificationinformation for the replying side (the ID of the other electronic camera1) in the above described reply.

In this first embodiment, the “parent machine” and the “child machine”are determined in the following manner. If the pairing formationcondition is set to “normal” (an affirmative decision in the step S13),then the electronic camera 1 that has initially transmitted thecommunication request (in the step S11) is taken as being the “parentmachine” in the pairing, while the electronic camera 1 that has repliedto this communication request (in a step S18) is taken as being the“child machine” in the pairing. And if the pairing formation conditionis set to “face recognition” (an affirmative decision in the step S15),then the electronic camera 1 that has performed the “faceidentification” is taken as being the “parent machine” in the pairing,while the electronic camera 1 that has been “face identified” is takenas being the “child machine” in the pairing. Moreover, if the pairingformation condition is set to “hand clasping” (an affirmative decisionin the step S23), then the electronic camera 1 that has initiallytransmitted a command and data via the closed circuit via the human bodycommunication described above is taken as being the “parent machine” inthe pairing, while the electronic camera 1 that has received thiscommand and data is taken as being the “child machine” in the pairing.The determination of the “parent machine” and the “child machine” in thecase of “camera contact” will be described hereinafter.

In the step S27 the CPU performs time matching, and then the processingof FIG. 6 terminates. This time matching may, for example, be performedby matching the time of the “child machine” to the time of the “parentmachine”. In concrete terms, the CPU 20 sends a command to thecommunication control circuit 22, and causes it to transmit timeinformation to the other electronic camera 1. Due to this, it ispossible to transmit the time information for the “parent machine” tothe “child machine”, so as to synchronize their times together. Upon thetermination of the processing of FIG. 6, the paired relationship betweenthe “parent machine” and the “child machine” becomes effective. And,after the formation of this pairing, counting of time is started by boththe “parent machine” and the “child machine”, whose times have beenmatched together. The CPU 20 performs predetermined processing while apairing is established. The processing while a pairing is establishedwill be described hereinafter.

In the step S14, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not thepairing formation condition is “face identification”. And, if thepairing formation condition is set to “face identification”, then theCPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision in this step S14 and the flow ofcontrol is transferred to a step S15. But if the pairing formationcondition is not set to “face identification”, then the CPU 20 reaches anegative decision in this step S14 and the flow of control istransferred to a step S22.

In the step S15, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not “faceidentification” has been performed. If a face that is registered hasbeen identified, then the CPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision in thisstep S15 and the flow of control proceeds to a step S16, whereas, if noface that is registered has been identified, then the CPU 20 reaches anegative decision in this step S15 and the flow of control istransferred to a step S26. It should be understood that, along withreproducing and displaying the through image that is used for this “faceidentification” upon the LCD monitor 17 in real time, if the CPU 20 hasperformed “face identification”, then it provides a display superimposedupon the through image showing that “face” (for example, by displaying aframe surrounding the “face”, or the like). And, if the CPU 20 hasidentified a plurality of faces, then it may, for example, choose thelargest one of those faces (i.e. the one that occupies the maximumproportion of the through image).

In the step S22, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not thepairing formation condition is “hand clasping”. And, if the pairingformation condition is set to “hand clasping”, then the CPU 20 reachesan affirmative decision in this step S22 and the flow of control istransferred to a step S23. But if the pairing formation condition is notset to “hand clasping”, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision inthis step S22 and the flow of control proceeds to a step S24.

If in the step S23 a signal indicating that predetermined data has beenreceived via human body communication is transmitted from thecommunication control circuit 22, then the CPU 20 reaches an affirmativedecision in this step S23, and the flow of control is transferred to thestep S16. But if no signal indicating that predetermined data has beenreceived via human body communication is transmitted from thecommunication control circuit 22, then the CPU 20 reaches a negativedecision in this step S23, and the flow of control is transferred to thestep S26. It should be understood that, in this first embodiment, it isarranged to send data that indicates that pairing formation is possiblewhen a closed circuit is formed by human body communication.

In the step S24, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not anysignal indicating mutual contact of the electronic cameras 1 has beenreceived from the communication control circuit 22. If a signalindicating mutual contact of the electronic cameras 1 is inputted fromthe communication control circuit 22, then the CPU 20 reaches anaffirmative decision in this step S24, and the flow of control proceedsto a step S25. But if no such signal indicating mutual contact isinputted, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in this step S24and the flow of control is transferred to the step S26.

In the step S25, the CPU 20 performs “upper” determination processing.This “upper” determination is a decision as to which of the electroniccameras 1 is positioned more upwards when the electronic cameras 1 comeinto mutual contact. In this first embodiment, the camera that ispositioned more upwards against the direction of gravity is taken asbeing the “upper” one.

The CPU 20 makes the “upper” decision by referring to the decision tableshown by way of example in FIG. 7, on the basis of the direction ofgravity based upon the detection signal from the attitude sensor 24 andon the basis of a signal from the communication control circuit 22. Asan example, the case will now be explained in which the electroniccamera 1 is held in a vertical position (i.e. with its right sidedownwards), and the upper surface of the other electronic camera 1 (thatis in the upright position) is contacted against this right side. Sincethe transmit/receive electrode 22 d is the one that is furthest alongthe direction of gravity, and since the electrode that is contacted isthis transmit/receive electrode 22 d, accordingly the CPU 20 of theelectronic camera 1 reaches the decision of “upper”. In this firstembodiment, the machine in the pairing for which “upper” has beendecided is taken as being the “parent machine”, while the machine in thepairing for which “lower” has been decided is taken as being the “childmachine”. On the other hand, the CPU of the other electronic camera 1that has come into contact with the electronic camera 1 described abovereaches the decision of “lower”, since (in the upright position) itstransmit/receive electrode 22 c is the one that is furthest downwardsalong the direction of gravity, and since its electrode that iscontacted is the transmit/receive electrode on its upper surface (i.e.the transmit/receive electrode 22 b).

If a decision of “upper” has been made, then the CPU 20 arrives at anaffirmative decision in the step S25, and the flow of control istransferred to the step S16. But if the CPU 20 has not made a decisionof “upper”, then it arrives at a negative decision in the step S25, andthe flow of control is transferred to a step S20. This transfer to thestep S20 is in order to stand by for a confirmation signal from the“parent machine” as being a “child machine”.

In the step S26, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not atimeout has occurred. If a predetermined timeout period (for example oneminute) has elapsed, then the CPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision inthis step S26, the flow of control returns to the step S1 and repeatsthe processing described above. But if the above described timeoutperiod has not elapsed, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision inthis step S26, and the flow of control returns to the step S14 andrepeats the processing described above.

If a negative decision has been reached in the step S12, then in thestep S17 the CPU 20 decides whether or not there is any communicationrequest from another electronic camera 1. If a communication requestcommand has been received by the communication control circuit 22, thenthe CPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision in this step S17 and the flowof control proceeds to a step S18. But if no communication requestcommand has been received by the communication control circuit 22, thenthe CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in this step S17 and the flow ofcontrol returns to the step S11.

In the step S18 the CPU makes a reply, and then the flow of controlproceeds to a step S19. For example, the CPU 20 may send a command tothe communication control circuit 22, and cause it to make a reply tothe other electronic camera 1. In the step S19, the CPU 20 makes adecision as to whether or not a signal indicating a contact has beenreceived. If a signal indicating mutual contact with another electroniccamera 1 is inputted from the communication control circuit 22, then theCPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision in this step S19 and the flow ofcontrol is transferred to the step S25, whereas if no signal indicatingsuch mutual contact is inputted, then the CPU 20 reaches a negativedecision in this step S19 and the flow of control proceeds to a stepS20.

In this step S20, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not aconfirmation signal has been received from the other electronic camera 1by the communication control circuit 22. If such a confirmation signalhas been received, then the CPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision inthis step S20 and also establishes a pairing, and then the flow ofcontrol is transferred to the step S28. But if no confirmation signalhas been received, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in thisstep S20, and the flow of control proceeds to a step S21.

In the step S28 the CPU performs time matching, and then the processingof FIG. 6 terminates. This time matching is performed by matching thetime to the time information transmitted from the “parent machine”. Uponthe termination of the processing of FIG. 6, the paired relationshipbetween the “child machine” and the “parent machine” becomes effective.

In the step S21, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not atimeout has occurred. If a predetermined timeout period (for example onesecond) has elapsed, then the CPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision inthis step S21, and returns the flow of control to the step S11 andrepeats the processing described above. But if the above describedtimeout period has not elapsed, then the CPU 20 reaches a negativedecision in this step S21, and the flow of control returns to the stepS20 and the processing described above is repeated. It should beunderstood that, if the pairing formation condition is “hand clasping”,then the transmission of the confirmation signal in the step S16 may betransmitted by human body communication.

Apart from being terminated due to manual operation (for example, bypaired mode cancellation due to the mode switch 23 d being operated bybeing depressed), a pairing that has become established as explainedabove may end automatically due to an OFF timer that has been set inadvance. Moreover, it would also be acceptable to arrange to end thepairing automatically if at least one of the following cases (1) through(4) occurs.

(1) When the vacant capacity of the storage medium 51 is less than somepredetermined vacant capacity.

(2) When information indicating that the vacant capacity of the storagemedium 51 on the side of the other electronic camera 1 is less than somepredetermined vacant capacity has been acquired by communication to theeffect.

(3) When the remaining capacity of the battery 52 is less than somepredetermined remaining capacity.

(4) When information indicating that the remaining capacity of thebattery 52 on the side of the other electronic camera 1 is less thansome predetermined remaining capacity has been acquired by communicationto the effect.

Furthermore, it would also be acceptable to arrange to set the time forstaying in the paired mode, and/or the number of still image frames thatcan be photographed and the image mode in the paired mode (i.e. thenumber of pixels recorded, such as high image quality, standard,economy, or the like), and/or the photographic time and the frame rateduring movie photography in the paired mode, according to informationabout at least one of the vacant capacities of the storage mediums 51 ofthe two electronic cameras 1, and the remaining capacities of theirbatteries 52. It should be understood that the pairing also terminateswhen the distance between the electronic camera 1 and the otherelectronic camera 1 becomes outside the above described communicationrange. When the pairing terminates, the CPU 20 stores in the flashmemory 19, in correspondence with the ID of each electronic camera 1,identification information of the opposite party with which the pairingwas established (for example, the ID of the electronic camera 1), thenumber of times that pairing has been established with this oppositeparty electronic camera 1, and the cumulative time interval of pairingwith this opposite party electronic camera 1.

Now, the procedure for setting the pairing OFF timer will be explainedwith reference to FIG. 8. When the cruciform switch 23 g is operated bybeing depressed in the confirm direction (rightwards confirmation) inthe state in which the item 173 “pairing OFF timer” is selected duringthe display of the “operating menu” screen (FIG. 3), then the CPU 20displays a “pairing OFF timer” setting screen upon the LCD monitor 17,as shown in FIG. 8. And when the cruciform switch 23 g is operated bybeing depressed in the selection direction (i.e. upwards or downwards)while this “pairing OFF timer” setting screen is being displayed, theCPU 20 changes the selected item upwards or downwards according to thisoperating signal. FIG. 8 shows the state in which an item 72 is beingselected. And, when the cruciform switch 23 g is operated by beingdepressed in the rightwards direction, the item that is being selectedat this time point is confirmed.

If the item 71 “OFF” is confirmed, then the CPU 20 performs terminationof the pairing by the above described manual pairing cancellationoperation. And if the item 72 “30 minutes” is confirmed, then the CPU 20performs termination of the pairing according to whichever comes first:paired mode cancellation operation, and the lapse of thirty minutes fromwhen the paired mode started. The time that pairing starts correspondsto the time point at which time matching was performed in the step S27.Moreover, if the item 73 “1 hour” is confirmed, then the CPU 20 performstermination of the pairing according to whichever comes first: pairedmode cancellation operation, and the lapse of one hour from when thepaired mode started.

—Photograph Registration Processing—

The processing for recording (i.e. registering) data for reference to beused for “face identification” in the flash memory 19 will now beexplained. When the cruciform switch 23 g is operated by being depressedin the rightwards direction in the state in which the item 171 “registerphotograph” is being selected upon the “operating menu screen” (FIG. 3)that is being displayed upon the LCD monitor 17, then the CPU 20 startsa program for performing this photograph registration processing.

Having started the photograph registration program, the CPU 20 displaysan assistance frame G upon the LCD monitor 17. FIG. 9 is a figure forexplanation of an example of this display upon the LCD monitor 17. TheCPU 20 displays an image based upon the most recent through image datastored in the RAM 18 upon the LCD monitor 17, and also displays theassistance frame G superimposed over the image that is being displayed.The photographer aims the electronic camera 1 so that the face of theperson who is the photographic subject and whom he desires to registeris surrounded by the assistance frame G.

Upon receipt of an operating signal to end photograph registrationprocessing (for example an operating signal from the menu switch 23 e),the CPU 20 stops the display of the assistance frame G and terminatesthe photograph registration processing. One the other hand, if nooperating signal to end photograph registration processing (for examplean operating signal from the menu switch 23 e) is received, then the CPU20 makes a decision as to whether or not the release switch is ON. Ifthe release button 23 a has been full depress actuated, then the CPU 20performs photographic processing.

And the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not the image data thathas been acquired by this photographic processing can be used for faceidentification. The CPU 20 performs face detection processing on thebasis of the data among the image data that corresponds to the interiorof the assistance frame G, and makes a decision as to whether or notthis face is a face that is registered if a face has been detected. Inconcrete terms, by performing face identification processing on thebasis of the image data for the region of the face that has beendetected and the data for reference corresponding to the “faces” of thethumbnail images that are registered in the flash memory 19, the CPU 20identifies whether or not the person whose face has been detected is thesame person as one of the people whose faces are already included in thedata for reference.

If this is a face that is already registered, then the CPU 20 displays,for example, “already registered” upon the LCD monitor 17. On the otherhand, if this is not a face that is already registered, then the CPU 20records data for reference in the flash memory 19 as the “face” of a newperson. In concrete terms, the CPU 20 creates thumbnail image data onthe basis of the image data that corresponds to the interior of theassistance frame G, and creates characteristic weight data on the basisof the above described image data. And the CPU 20 records data forreference in the flash memory 19, including the thumbnail image data andthe characteristic weight data. Due to this, data for reference isregistered, such as that for the person B upon the paired person settingscreen (see FIG. 5).

—Deletion of Data for Reference—

Data for reference that is recorded (i.e. registered) in the flashmemory 19 can be deleted in the following manner. When the delete switch23 f is operated by being depressed in the state in which the pairedperson setting screen (FIG. 5) is being displayed upon the LCD monitor17, the CPU 20 takes the data for reference related to the person whocurrently is being designated by the cursor 173 as the subject fordeletion.

For the person B who is surrounded by the cursor 173, the CPU 20displays a message upon the LCD monitor 17 such as, for example “Deletedata for person B?”. And, when the delete switch 23 f is operated bybeing depressed for a second time, the CPU 20 deletes from the flashmemory 19 the data for reference that includes the thumbnail image datathat is being displayed and the corresponding characteristic weightdata. Due to this, the display for the person B is deleted from thepaired person setting screen (FIG. 5).

—Processing while a Pairing is Established—

1. Image Viewing

While a pairing is established, for a file folder that has been set inadvance to be shared, the CPU 20 makes it possible to view its contentsfrom the electronic camera 1 on the opposite side via wirelesscommunication (if the pairing formation condition is set to “handclasping”, then via wireless communication or via the human body (aclosed circuit created by the above described “hand clasping” or thelike)). In this first embodiment, this viewing is reproduction displayupon the LCD monitor 17 of images that are reproduced according to imagedata received from the opposite party electronic camera 1 in pairingformation, and is different from recording and storing received imagedata in the non-volatile memories (i.e. the flash memory 19 and thestorage medium 51) within the electronic camera 1. The sharing settingmay, for example, be performed by a setting item included in the“operating menu” such as shown by way of example in FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a “folder display” screen that is displayedupon the LCD monitor 17 of Mr. X's electronic camera 1, in this casethis electronic camera 1 being the “parent machine”. In FIG. 10, thefolders within the holder's own camera (i.e. within Mr. X's camera) aredisplayed. The “paired folder” on the holder's “own camera” is a folderfor which viewing is permitted by the opposite party in the pairing (inthis example on Mr. B's electronic camera, that being the “childmachine”) while the pairing is established. The image files that areregistered within this “paired folder” on the holder's “own camera” canbe read from Mr. B's electronic camera, that is the “child machine”, viathe wireless communication that is established (if the pairing formationcondition is set to “hand clasping”, via wireless communication or humanbody communication).

In FIG. 10, a folder within Mr. B's electronic camera 1 is alsodisplayed, this being the “child machine”. The “paired folder” on theside of “Mr. B's camera” is a folder for which viewing by the oppositeparty to the pairing during pairing formation (in this example by Mr.X's electronic camera 1, that being the “parent machine”) is permitted.

FIG. 11 is an example of a “folder display” screen that is displayedupon the LCD monitor of Mr. B's electronic camera 1, this being the“child machine”. In FIG. 11, the folders within the holder's own camera(i.e. within Mr. B's camera) are displayed. The “paired folder” on theholder's “own camera” is a folder for which viewing is permitted by theopposite party in the pairing (in this example on Mr. X's electroniccamera, that being the “parent machine”) while a pairing is established.The image files that are registered within this “paired folder” on theholder's “own camera” can be read from Mr. X's electronic camera 1, thatis the “parent machine”, via the wireless communication that isestablished (if the pairing formation condition is set to “handclasping”, via wireless communication or human body communication).

In FIG. 11, a folder within Mr. X's electronic camera 1 is alsodisplayed, this being the “parent machine”. The “paired folder” on theside of “Mr. X's camera” is a folder for which viewing by the oppositeparty to the pairing during pairing formation (in this example by Mr.B's electronic camera 1, that being the “child machine”) is permitted.

While a pairing is established, the electronic camera 1 is able to readall the folders on the “own camera” side, and also the “paired folder”on the side of “Mr. 00's camera” that is the opposite party in thepairing. When folder selection operation is performed (i.e. whenselection is performed by depressing the cruciform switch 23 g tooperate it, and confirmation is performed by depressing the OK switch 23h to operate it), then the CPU 20 displays upon the LCD monitor 17 thethumbnail images for the image files recorded within the folder that hasbeen selected and confirmed.

FIG. 12 is a figure showing an example of such a thumbnail list display.A cursor 131 is displayed over one of a plurality of thumbnails. Thecursor position can be shifted freely upwards, downwards, leftwards, andrightwards by thumbnail selection operation (i.e. by operation of thecruciform switch 23 g by depressing it). When the OK switch 23 h isoperated by being depressed, the CPU 20 displays a reproduced imagecorresponding to the thumbnail image at which the cursor is positionedat this time point, full screen upon the LCD monitor 17.

2. Assigning Ranking to a Pairing

The CPU 20 performs assignment of rankings to information about theopposite parties for whom pairings have become established (i.e. to theidentification information for their electronic cameras 1). Theserankings may be divided, for example, into three levels from low tohigh. The CPU 20 on the “parent machine” side assigns rankings accordingto the number of times of pairing formation and the cumulative timeperiod of pairing with the opposite party (in this example, theelectronic camera 1 specified by the identification information) withwhom pairing has become established. The number of times of pairingformation and the cumulative time period of pairing, used in thisdecision as to whether or not to raise or lower a ranking, are set inadvance for the electronic camera 1, and their set contents are storedin the flash memory 19. Changing of the setting for the number of timesof pairing formation and the cumulative time period of pairing stored inthe flash memory 19 may, for example, be performed by the setting itemsincluded in the “operating menu” shown by way of example in FIG. 3. Forexample, if either the number of times of pairing formation reaches andexceeds 20 times, or the cumulative time period of pairing reaches andexceeds 8 hours, then the CPU 20 on the “parent machine” side may changethe ranking from ranking-1 to ranking-2, and may store the changedcontents in the flash memory 19 in correspondence with theidentification information for the opposite party for pairing formation.

Furthermore, if either the number of times of pairing formation reachesand exceeds 50 times, or the cumulative time period of pairing reachesand exceeds 20 hours, then the CPU 20 on the “parent machine” side maychange the ranking from ranking-2 to ranking-3, and may store thechanged contents in the flash memory 19 in correspondence with theidentification information for the opposite party for pairing formation.Generally, it is often the case that an opposite party for whom thefrequency of pairing establishment is high is a person whose degree ofintimacy with the user is high, such as an opposite party who ismutually well known and can be relied upon, or a person who is closesuch as a family member or partner or the like. By separating therankings according to the actual results of pairing, it is possible togroup the opposite parties to pairing automatically according to theirdegrees of intimacy.

3. Processing According to Ranking

While a pairing is established with an opposite party whose ranking is 1(in this example, an electronic camera 1 that is specified byidentification information), as described above, for a file folder thathas been set in advance to be shared, the CPU 20 is able to read itscontents from the electronic camera 1 on the side of the opposite partyvia wireless communication (if the pairing formation condition is set to“hand clasping”, via wireless communication or human bodycommunication). In this case, the CPU 20 only makes it possible to viewphotographic images that have been photographed while a pairing isestablished, but does not include photographic images that werephotographed when pairing was not established in the subjects forviewing from the opposite party.

Moreover, while a pairing is established with an opposite party whoseranking is 2 (in this example, an electronic camera 1 that is specifiedby identification information), the CPU 20 not only includes in thesubjects for viewing from the opposite party those photographic imagesincluded in a file folder that has been set in advance to be shared thathave been photographed while a pairing is established, but also includesas subjects for viewing photographic images included in that file folderthat is set to be shared that were photographed when pairing was notestablished.

Yet further, while a pairing is established with an opposite party whoseranking is 3 (in this example, an electronic camera 1 that is specifiedby identification information), the CPU 20 not only permits viewing ofall of the images that are included in a file folder that is set to beshared, but also permits them to be copied. In this embodiment, copyingmeans reproduction of a photographic image that is included in the filefolder on the side of the electronic camera 1 that is the opposite partyin pairing formation, and recording and storage thereof in a file folderon the side of one's own electronic camera 1.

It is arranged for it to be possible to raise or to lower the rankingfor an opposite party to pairing formation by manual operation. When dueto an operation signal from the operating members 23 an operation signalthat specifies raising or lowering of a ranking is inputted, change ofthe ranking can be performed within the range of ranking-1 throughranking-3. In this case as well, the CPU 20, along with storing thechanged contents in the flash memory 19 in correspondence with theidentification information for the opposite party in pairing formation,also performs viewing limitation or copying limitation according to theranking after change. The ranking information is transmitted from the“parent machine” to the “child machine”, and is managed by the “parentmachine”.

If there is some rivalry between the automatic change of the rankingcorresponding to the number of times of pairing formation and thecumulative time period of pairing formation as described above, and thechange of ranking due to manual operation, then the change due to manualoperation takes priority. It should be understood that, if due to anoperation signal from the operating member 23 an operation signal thatindicates raising or lowering of the ranking is inputted, then the CPU20 sends a signal that requests change of the ranking to the side of theopposite party to pairing formation. And the CPU 20 performs the changeof ranking only if a signal that indicates that the change is OK hasbeen returned, but does not perform the change of ranking if no signalthat indicates that the change is OK is returned

On the other hand, a CPU 20 that has received a signal indicating arequest for a change of ranking from the opposite party to pairingformation displays a message “Ranking change request received. OK tochange ranking?” upon the LCD monitor 17. And the CPU 20 transmits asignal indicating that this change of ranking is OK to the side of theopposite party to pairing formation, only if it has received anoperation signal indicating that the change is OK from the operatingmembers 23.

4. Filter Processing During Viewing

The CPU 20 changes the display resolution during viewing according tothe level of the ranking. When viewing the image recorded on the “childmachine” side and displaying it reproduced upon the LCD monitor on the“parent machine” side, the “parent machine” in pairing formationperforms low pass filter processing that differs according to theranking. In other words, the CPU 20 changes the display resolution so asto provide viewing at lower resolution the lower the ranking is, andviewing at higher resolution the higher the ranking is. In a similarmanner in the case of the “child machine”, it changes the displayresolution when viewing the image recorded on the “parent machine” sideand displaying it reproduced upon the LCD monitor on the “child machine”side. In other words, the CPU 20 changes the display resolution byperforming low pass filter processing that differs according to theranking, so as to provide viewing at lower resolution the lower theranking is, and viewing at higher resolution the higher the ranking is.

It should be understood that, during this filter processing at the timeof viewing, apart from the above, the CPU 20 also performs low passfilter processing according to the state of communication between theelectronic cameras 1 as detected by the wireless communication circuit.As examples of the communication state, there may be cited the strengthof the communication between the electronic cameras 1, or the volume ofsignal transmitted per unit time. To give the example of thecommunication strength, the CPU 20 may change the display resolution soas to provide lower resolution viewing the lower the communicationstrength is, and so as to provide higher resolution viewing the higherthe communication strength is. In a similar manner for the “childmachine” in pairing formation, the display resolution for the image maybe changed when viewing an image that is recorded upon the “parentmachine” side and displaying a reproduction thereof upon the LCD monitoron the “child machine” side. In other words, by performing low passfilter processing that is different according to the communicationstrength, the CPU 20 may change the display resolution so as to providelower resolution viewing the lower the communication strength is, and soas to provide higher resolution viewing the higher the communicationstrength is. By providing this structure it becomes possible for theuser to determine in a simple and easy manner whether the two electroniccameras 1 are close together or are far apart, according to theresolution of the image that is displayed as a reproduction upon the LCDmonitor.

5. Photography

While a pairing is established, it is possible to perform either normalphotography in which each of the electronic camera 1 on the “parentmachine” side and the electronic camera 1 on the “child machine” sideperforms photographic processing by itself singly, or cooperativephotography in which the electronic camera 1 on the “parent machine”side and the electronic camera 1 on the “child machine” side operate incooperation to perform photographic processing. The setting for whetherto perform normal photography or to perform cooperative photography maybe made by a setting item included in advance in the “operating menu”shown by way of example in FIG. 3.

—Normal Photography—

The CPU 20 performs photography on the basis of actuation of the releasebutton 23 a (see FIG. 2). And the CPU 20 creates an image file in theExif format including image data and photographic information on thebasis of information before the photographic processing and the imagedata acquired by the photographic processing. In this image file in theExif format, it is arranged to embed data such as a thumbnail image andphotographic information and so on, along with the image data in theJPEG image format. The CPU 20 records this image file in the storagemedium 51.

The structure of the image file in Exif format includes a header regionin which information related to the image is recorded and an image dataregion in which the photographic image data is recorded. The CPU 20records in the header region within the image file (i.e. the tag region)information that indicates that this is an image that was photographedwhile a pairing was established. This information that indicates thatthis is an image that was photographed while a pairing was establishedincludes identification information for the opposite party in thepairing and information about the time point of photography based uponthe time counted after time matching.

Instead of recording the information that indicates that this is animage that was photographed while a pairing was established in theheader region of the image file, it would also be acceptable to recordit as a separate file in correspondence with the image file. Processingfor the above described normal photography is performed upon releaseoperation either by the “parent machine” or by the “child machine”. Theimage files that are generated while a pairing is established arerecorded within the file folder that has been set in advance to beshared.

—Cooperative Photography Type #1—

While a pairing is established, the electronic camera 1 on the “parentmachine” side and the electronic camera 1 on the “child machine” sideare controlled so as to perform photography under photographicconditions that are different. For example, the shutter speed of the“parent machine” may be controlled to be faster than the shutter speedof the “child machine”. The setting for performing this cooperativephotography type #1 may be made by a setting item included in the“operating menu” shown by way of example of FIG. 3.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing flow that isexecuted repeatedly when the CPU 20 is performing cooperativephotography type #1 while a pairing is established. This processing flowis executed by both the CPUs 20: the CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1on the “parent machine” side, and the CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1on the “child machine” side. In a step S101 of FIG. 17, the CPU 20 makesa decision as to whether or not a release signal transmitted from theelectronic camera 1 that is the opposite party in the pairing has beenreceived. This release signal is a signal by which the one of theelectronic cameras 1, among the “parent machine” and the “childmachine”, on which the release button 23 a (FIG. 2) has been operated bybeing depressed commands the other electronic camera 1 to performphotography.

If a release signal has been received, then the CPU 20 reaches anaffirmative decision in the step S101 and the flow of control istransferred to a step S111. The processing of the steps S111 throughS115 corresponds to the processing performed by the CPU 20 of theelectronic camera 1, among the “parent machine” and the “child machine”while a pairing is established, upon which the release button 23 a (FIG.2) has not been operated by being depressed.

If no release signal has been received, then the CPU 20 reaches anegative decision in this step S101, and the flow of control proceeds toa step S102. And the CPUs 20 of both of the electronic cameras 1 repeatthe processing of the steps S101 through 104 until either the releasebutton 23 a of the “parent machine” or the release button 23 a of the“child machine” is operated.

In the step S102, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not acomposition guide function is ON. The composition guide is a functionfor performing guiding so that the “parent machine” and the “childmachine” photograph a common photographic subject at differentphotographic angles while a pairing is established. The ON/OFF settingfor the composition guide may be made by the setting items included inadvance in the “operating menu” shown by way of example in FIG. 3.

If the composition guide function is set to ON, then the CPU 20 reachesan affirmative decision in this step S102 and the flow of controlproceeds to a step S103, whereas if the composition guide function isnot set to ON, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in this stepS102 and the flow of control is transferred to a step S104.

In the step S103, the CPU 20 performs composition guiding. FIGS. 13 and15 are figures showing examples of through images that are displayedupon the LCD monitor 17 of Mr. X's electronic camera 1, this being the“parent machine”. And FIGS. 14 and 16 are figures showing examples ofthrough images that are displayed upon the LCD monitor 17 of Mr. B'selectronic camera 1, this being the “child machine”.

Each of the “parent machine” and the “child machine” reproduces thethrough image that it has itself acquired upon its own LCD monitor 17.And each of the CPUs 20 performs “face” detection processing on thebasis of its through image, and displays a frame that indicates thisface as superimposed over its through image if it has detected a face.And the CPU 20 determines the photographic direction on the basis of thepositional relationship of the contours and the eyes and the noseobtained from the data for the region of the “face”, and performs guidedisplay upon the LCD monitor 17 as to what movement should be made inwhat direction.

In the case of FIG. 13, the CPU 20 displays a face icon and an arrowsign brightly and also displays “angle guide” as blinking in order toshow that angle guiding is taking place so that Mr. X who is the holderof the “parent machine” is to be invited to angle his electronic camera1 towards the left of the person who is the photographic subject. And,in the case of FIG. 14, the CPU 20 displays a face icon and an arrowsign brightly and also displays “angle guide” as blinking in order toshow that angle guiding is taking place so that Mr. B who is the holderof the “child machine” is to be invited to angle his electronic camera 1towards the right of the person who is the photographic subject.

When the face icon and the positional relationship of the eyes and thenose are in mutual accord, the CPU 20 displays “OK” and invites the userto perform photography (FIGS. 15 and 16). It is also possible to performphotography even in the state in which “OK” is not being displayed. Itshould be understood that the display of the face icon and the “angleguide” and the display of “OK” are not included in the image that isphotographed.

In the step S104, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not therelease button 23 a (FIG. 2) has been operated by being depressed. If anoperating signal that indicates that the release button 23 a has beendepressed has been inputted from the operating members 23, then the CPU20 reaches an affirmative decision in this step S104 and the flow ofcontrol proceeds to a step S105, whereas if no such operating signalthat indicates that the release button 23 a has been depressed has beeninputted from the operating members 23, then the CPU 20 reaches anegative decision in this step S104 and the flow of control returns tothe step S101. When the flow of control thus returns to the step S101,the CPU 20 repeats the processing described above.

The processing of the steps S105 through S110 is processing performedwhile a pairing is established by the CPU 20 of that one of theelectronic cameras 1, among the “parent machine” and the “childmachine”, on which the release button 23 a has been operated by beingdepressed. In the step S105, the CPU 20 performs predetermined automaticexposure calculation (AE) and automatic focus adjustment processing(AF), and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S106. In this stepS106 the CPU 20 issues a command to the communication control circuit 22and causes it to transmit a release signal to the other electroniccamera 1, and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S107. Alongwith this release signal, the CPU 20 also transmits to the otherelectronic camera 1 data that specifies photographic conditionsincluding the result of exposure calculation (for example, shutterspeed, iris aperture value, sensitivity, focal distance, white balanceadjustment value, image quality adjustment information, and so on).

The image quality adjustment information is information that specifieswhich image quality adjustment algorithm should be applied. As imagequality adjustment algorithms, for example, “standard”, “neutral”,“vivid”, and “monochrome” may be provided in advance and may be appliedduring the image processing (a step S108).

“Standard” is an image quality adjustment algorithm for finishing off astandard image. And “neutral” is an image quality adjustment algorithmthat emphasizes natural color matching for materials. “Vivid” is animage quality adjustment algorithm for finishing off a vivid image. Inconcrete terms, it is an image adjustment algorithm for increasing thesaturation and vividly processing the red color and green color, and forobtaining a sharp image by increasing the contrast. And “monochrome” isan image quality adjustment algorithm for finishing off a white andblack image.

In the step S107 the CPU 20 performs image capture processing, and thenthe flow of control proceeds to the step S108. In this step S108 the CPU20 sends a command to the image processing circuit 14 so as to cause itto perform predetermined image processing upon the image data that hasbeen acquired, and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S109. Inthis step S109, the CPU 20 creates an image file that includes the imagedata after image processing, and then the flow of control proceeds to astep S110. In this step S110, the CPU 20 sends a command to the memorycard interface 21 so as to cause it to record this image file upon thestorage medium 51, and then the processing of FIG. 17 is terminated.

If an affirmative decision has been reached in the step S101 describedabove, then photographic processing is to be performed according to arelease signal from the other electronic camera 1. In a step S111, theCPU 20 performs predetermined automatic exposure calculation (AE) andautomatic focus adjustment processing (AF), and then the flow of controlproceeds to a step S112. In the automatic exposure calculation (AE) inthis case, the exposure conditions are made to be different on the basisof the data specifying photographic conditions transmitted from the oneof the electronic cameras 1 upon which the release button 23 a wasoperated by being depressed, so that the shutter speed on the “parentmachine” is made faster than the shutter speed on the “child machine”.For example, the shutter speed on the “child machine” may be made to be1/250 second with a shutter speed of 1/1000 second on the “parentmachine”. Due to this, the CPU 20 changes the iris aperture value or thesensitivity, so that an appropriate exposure is obtained.

In the step S112 the CPU 20 performs image capture processing, and thenthe flow of control proceeds to a step S113. In this step S113, the CPU20 sends a command to the image processing circuit 14 and causes it toperform predetermined image processing upon the image data that has beenacquired, and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S114. On thebasis of data specifying the photographic conditions that is transmittedfrom one of the electronic cameras 1 on which the release button 23 ahas been operated by being depressed, the CPU 20 either may use a commonimage quality adjustment algorithm and a common white balance adjustmentvalue, or may use a different image quality adjustment algorithm and adifferent white balance adjustment value. Whether or not a commonalgorithm and a common adjustment value are used, or a differentalgorithm and a different adjustment value are used, may be set by asetting item included in the “operating menu” such as shown by way ofexample in FIG. 3.

In the step S114, the CPU 20 creates an image file that includes theimage data after image processing, and then the flow of control proceedsto a step S115. In this step S115, the CPU 20 issues a command to thememory card interface 21 so as to cause this image file to be recordedupon the storage medium 51, and then the processing of FIG. 17terminates.

—Cooperative photography type #2—

While a pairing is established control is performed so that, duringphotography by one of the electronic camera 1 on the “parent machine”side and the electronic camera 1 on the “child machine” side, the otherelectronic camera 1 is made to wait, and, when the photography by theelectronic camera 1 that was performing photography terminates, thenphotography by the other electronic camera 1 that was waiting becomespossible. The setting for performing cooperative photography type #2 maybe made by a setting item included in the “operating menu” shown by wayof example of FIG. 3.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing flow that isexecuted repeatedly when the CPU 20 is performing cooperativephotography type #2 while a pairing is established. This processing flowis executed by both the CPUs 20: the CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1on the “parent machine” side, and the CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1on the “child machine” side. In a step S201 of FIG. 18, the CPU 20 makesa decision as to whether or not a signal has been transmitted duringimage capture from the electronic camera 1 that is the opposite party inthe pairing. This signal during image capture is a signal from oneelectronic camera 1, among the “parent machine” and the “child machine”,to the other electronic camera 1 that conveys the information that imagecapture is taking place according to the release button 23 a of oneelectronic camera 1 (FIG. 2) being operated by being depressed.

If the CPU 20 has received a signal during image capture, then itreaches an affirmative decision in the step S201, and the flow ofcontrol is transferred to a step S211. The processing in the steps S211and S212 corresponds to the processing that is performed by the CPU 20of the one of the electronic cameras 1, among the “parent machine” andthe “child machine”, that is waiting while a pairing is established.

But if the CPU 20 has not received any signal during image capture, thenit reaches a negative decision in the step S201, and the flow of controlproceeds to a step S202. The CPUs 20 of both of the electronic cameras 1repeat the processing of the steps S201 through S202 until the releasebutton 23 a on either the “parent machine” or the “child machine” isoperated.

In the step S202, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not therelease button 23 a (FIG. 2) has been operated by being depressed. If anoperation signal indicating that the release button 23 a is depressed isinputted from the operating members 23, then the CPU 20 reaches anaffirmative decision in this step S202, and the flow of control proceedsto a step S203, whereas if no operation signal indicating that therelease button 23 a is depressed is inputted from the operating members23, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in this step S202, andthe flow of control returns to the step S201. If the flow of control hasreturned to the step S201, then the processing described above isrepeated.

The processing of the steps S203 through S210 is processing that isperformed by the CPU 20 of that one of the electronic cameras 1, amongthe “parent machine” and the “child machine” while a pairing isestablished, on which the release button 23 a has been operated by beingdepressed. In the step S203, the CPU 20 issues a command to thecommunication control circuit 22 so as to cause it to transmit a signalindicating that image capture is under way to the other electroniccamera 1, and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S204. And inthis step S204 the CPU 20 performs predetermined automatic exposurecalculation (AE) and automatic focus adjustment processing (AF), andthen the flow of control proceeds to a step S205.

In the step S205 the CPU 20 performs image capture processing, and thenthe flow of control proceeds to a step S206. In this step S206, the CPU20 makes a decision as to whether or not the release button 23 a (FIG.2) is being operated by being depressed. And, if an operating signalindicating that the release button 23 a is depressed is beingcontinuously inputted from the operating members 23, then the CPU 20reaches an affirmative decision in this step S206 and the flow ofcontrol returns to the step S204, and the processing described above isrepeated (sequential shooting photography).

But, if no operating signal indicating that the release button 23 a isdepressed is being inputted from the operating members 23, then the CPU20 reaches a negative decision in this step S206 and the flow of controlproceeds to a step S207. In this step S207 the CPU 20 sends a command tothe communication control circuit 22 and causes it to transmit a signalindicating that image capture has been completed to the other electroniccamera, and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S208.

In this step S208 the CPU 20 issues a command to the image processingcircuit 14 so as to cause it to perform predetermined image processingin a predetermined order upon the image data that has been acquired, andthen the flow of control proceeds to a step S209. In this step S209, theCPU 20 creates an image file that includes the image data after imageprocessing, and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S210. Inthis step S210, the CPU 20 issues a command to the memory card interface21 so as to cause it to record this image file upon the storage medium51, and then the processing of FIG. 18 terminates.

If an affirmative decision has been reached in the step S201 describedabove, then photographic processing is not performed until a signalindicating that image capture has been completed is received from theother electronic camera 1. And in the step S211 the CPU 20 makes adecision as to whether or not a signal that is transmitted from theopposite electronic camera 1 in the pairing and indicates that imagecapture has been completed has been received. If such an image capturecompleted signal has been received, then the CPU 20 reaches anaffirmative decision in this step S211 and the flow of control proceedsto a step S212. But if no such image capture completed signal has beenreceived, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in this step S211and the system waits for an image capture completed signal whilerepeating the decision processing described above. While the CPU is thuswaiting for this image capture completed signal it may display, forexample, the message “waiting” upon the LCD monitor 17.

In the step S212, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not therelease button 23 a (FIG. 2) has been operated by being depressed. And,if an operating signal indicating depression of the release button 23 ahas been inputted from the operating members 23, then the CPU 20 reachesan affirmative decision in this step S212 and the flow of control istransferred to the step S203, whereas if no operating signal indicatingdepression of the release button 23 a has been inputted from theoperating members 23, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision inthis step S212 and the flow of control returns to the step S201. If theflow of control returns to the step S201, then the CPU 20 repeats theprocessing described above.

—Normal Photography—

While a pairing is established, each of the electronic camera 1 on the“parent machine” side and the electronic camera 1 on the “child machine”side can be controlled singly to perform normal photography. The settingfor thus performing normal photography may be made by a setting itemincluded in the “operating menu” that is shown by way of example in FIG.3.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing flow that isexecuted repeatedly when the CPU 20 performs normal photography while apairing is established. This processing flow is executed by both theCPUs 20: the CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1 on the “parent machine”side, and the CPU 20 of the electronic camera 1 on the “child machine”side.

In a step S301 of FIG. 19, the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether ornot the release button 23 a (FIG. 2) has been operated by beingdepressed. If an operating signal indicating depression of the releasebutton 23 a has been inputted from the operating members 23, then theCPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision in this step S301 and the flow ofcontrol proceeds to a step S302, whereas if no such operating signalindicating depression of the release button 23 a has been inputted fromthe operating members 23, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision inthis step S301 and the processing described above is repeated.

In the step S302, the CPU 20 performs predetermined automatic exposurecalculation (AE) and automatic focus adjustment processing (AF), andthen the flow of control proceeds to a step S303. In this step S303, theCPU 20 performs image capture processing, and then the flow of controlproceeds to a step S304. In this step S304, the CPU 20 issues a commandto the image processing circuit 14 so as to cause it to performpredetermined image processing upon the image data that has beenacquired, and then the flow of control proceeds to a step S305. In thisstep S305, the CPU 20 creates an image file that includes the image dataafter image processing, and then the flow of control proceeds to a stepS306. In this step S306, the CPU 20 issues a command to the memory cardinterface 21 and causes it to record this image file upon the storagemedium 51, and then the processing of FIG. 19 terminates.

6. Password Sharing

It is also possible to arrange for the “parent machine” and the “childmachine” to share passwords while a pairing is established. For example,if a password is set on either the “parent machine” and the “childmachine” while a pairing is established, the CPU 20 may transmit thispassword information to the other electronic camera 1, so that thepassword is shared between the “parent machine” and the “child machine”.The setting of the password may, for example, be performed on a menuscreen.

Subsequently to setting of the shared password, the CPU 20 transmits tothe other electronic camera 1 the details of setting changes performedby inputting that shared password on either one of the “parent machine”and the “child machine” while a pairing is established, so that they arereflected upon the other electronic camera 1. For example, if a settingwhether to perform the normal photography or to perform cooperativephotography, as described above, is made on the “parent machine” side,then this setting is also applied to the side of the “child machine”automatically.

It would also be acceptable to include the above described rankingraising or lowering operation in the setting change items that areperformed by inputting the shared password. In this case, the CPU 20does not send any signal such as described above specifying a rankingchange request from the electronic camera 1 on the side on which theoperating members have been actuated to the electronic camera 1 that isthe opposite party in pairing formation, but rather sends informationspecifying the ranking after it is raised or lowered to the electroniccamera 1 that is the opposite party in pairing formation. The CPU 20that has received this information specifying the ranking after it hasbeen changed from the opposite party in pairing formation performsraising or lowering of the ranking on the basis of the information thatit has received, and displays a message such as “Ranking change made”upon the LCD monitor 17.

By sharing a password as explained above, there is no need to establishthe same settings upon both the “parent machine” and the “childmachine”, and it is possible to enhance the convenience of use, since itbecomes possible to change the settings from just one of them.

According to the first embodiment explained above, the followingbeneficial operational effects are obtained.

(1) The electronic camera 1 includes the communication control circuit22 that performs communication with the external electronic camera, andthe CPU 20 that issues commands to the external electronic camera viathe communication control circuit 22 on the basis of at least one of thecapacity of the external electronic camera and its own capacity. As aresult it is possible to perform paired operation in an appropriatemanner, irrespective of whether the equipment is indoors or outdoors.

(2) The capacity of the external electronic camera includes at least oneof the remaining capacity of its battery 52 and the vacant capacity ofits storage medium 51, and the CPU 20 issues commands to the externalelectronic camera on the basis of at least one of the remaining capacityof that camera's battery 52 and the vacant capacity of that camera'sstorage medium 51. For example, by issuing a command for pairedoperation to be terminated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of astate of affairs in which although photography by the externalelectronic camera has been performed during paired operation, it is notpossible for the external electronic camera to record any photographicimage upon the storage medium 51, or of the occurrence of a state ofaffairs in which the battery 52 of the external electronic camerabecomes depleted during paired operation and the operation of theexternal electronic camera becomes impossible.

(3) The capacity of this electronic camera itself includes at least oneof the remaining capacity of its battery 52 and the vacant capacity ofits storage medium 51, and the CPU 20 issues commands to the externalelectronic camera on the basis of at least one of the remaining capacityof its own battery 52 and the vacant capacity of its own storage medium51. For example, by issuing a command for paired operation to beterminated, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a state of affairsin which although photography by this electronic camera itself isperformed during paired operation, it is not possible for thiselectronic camera to record any photographic image upon its own storagemedium 51, or of the occurrence of a state of affairs in which thebattery 52 of this electronic camera itself becomes depleted duringpaired operation and the operation of this electronic camera itselfbecomes impossible.

(4) Since the data sent from the external electronic camera is storedupon this camera's own storage medium 51, accordingly it is possible toavoid the occurrence of a state of affairs in which even though data hasbeen sent from the external electronic camera during paired operation,it is not possible for this sent data to be recorded upon its ownstorage medium 51.

(5) Since the LCD monitor 17 is provided that displays the data sentfrom the external electronic camera, accordingly it is possible to avoidthe occurrence of a state of affairs in which, even though data has beensent from the external electronic camera during paired operation, it isnot possible for it to be displayed upon its own LCD monitor 17.

(6) The data received in (5) above is image data, and it is arranged toperform filter processing upon the images that are displayed on the LCDmonitor 17, according to the level of reception by the communicationcontrol circuit 22 when receiving image data from the externalelectronic camera (for example, according to the distance between thiselectronic camera and the external electronic camera). Since the stateof this filter processing for the reproduced images that are displayedupon the LCD monitor 17 is changed according to the level of reception,accordingly the observer is able to apprehend the state of receptionintuitively.

(7) Since it is arranged for the CPU 20 of (6) above to perform filterprocessing for increasing the level of blurring as the level ofreception becomes lower, accordingly the observer is able to apprehendthe state of reception intuitively according to the level of blurring ofthe images.

(8) Since the communication control circuit 22 includes thecommunication control circuit 22 a that performs communication regardingthe capacity of the external electronic camera, and the communicationcontrol circuits 22 b through 22 e that are different from the abovecommunication control circuit 22 a and that communicate data sent fromthe external electronic camera, accordingly it is possible to performpaired operation in an appropriate manner, irrespective of thecommunication path.

(9) There are provided: the communication control circuit 22 (noncontact) that establishes pairing with the external electronic camera bycommunication via short distance communication with the externalelectronic camera or via a human body, the communication controlcircuits 22 b through 22 e (direct contact) that are different from thecommunication control circuit 22 (non contact), and the CPU 20 thatissues commands to the external electronic camera via the communicationcontrol circuits 22 b through 22 e (direct contact) when pairing withthe external electronic camera has been established via thecommunication control circuit 22 (non contact). Since a command is sentthat causes the pairing to be established under the condition that bothof the electronic cameras are in mutual direct contact aftercommunication has become established, accordingly the timing of pairingformation is easy to understand.

(10) Since the CPU is provided that counts time from when the pairingwith the external electronic camera has become established, accordinglyit becomes possible to manage the paired operation time period.

(11) It is arranged for the CPU 20 to cancel the pairing when the timeperiod counted exceeds a predetermined time period. As a result, it ispossible to terminate the paired operation automatically even if theuser has forgotten to cancel such operation.

(12) It is arranged to determine the parent-child relationship on thebasis of the output of the attitude sensor during paired operation withthe external electronic camera. Accordingly, the user is able todetermine the parent-child relationship automatically, without issuingany command.

(13) It is arranged for the electronic camera 1 to include: the imagingelement 12 that captures an image and outputs image data; thecommunication control circuit 22 that performs communication with anexternal electronic camera; and the CPU 20 that, along with acquiringphotographic conditions set by the external electronic camera via thecommunication control circuit 22, also sets photographic conditions thatare different from at least a part of those photographic conditions. Dueto this, it is possible to perform paired photographic operation in anappropriate manner. For example, the possibility of the photographedimages becoming the same is avoided.

(14) Since the CPU 20 sets the same photographic conditions as at leasta part of the photographic conditions of the external electronic camerathat were acquired via the communication control circuit 22, accordinglyit is possible to perform photography in which mutual correspondence ismaintained with the electronic camera that is the opposite party in thepairing.

(15) By making the photographic conditions include at least one of themagnification ratio of the photographic optical system 11, the shutterspeed, the aperture value, the sensitivity, and the color adjustmentprocessing information, it is possible to photograph a photographicsubject according to various different tastes.

(16) The electronic camera 1 includes the imaging element 12 thatcaptures an image and outputs image data, the communication controlcircuit 22 that performs communication with an external electroniccamera, and the CPU 20 that performs predetermined image captureprocessing via communication with the external electronic camera. And itis arranged for this CPU 20 to include a CPU 20 that invites the user toperform framing so that the same photographic subject is photographedfrom a different photographic direction from that of the externalelectronic camera. Accordingly, photography is performed in a simplemanner from a different angle.

(17) Since the CPUs 20 that invite the users to perform framing includethe CPU 20 that detects a face on the basis of the image data from theimaging element 12 and the CPU 20 that determines the direction forperforming photography of the face on the basis of the face, accordinglyphotography of a person can be performed in a simple manner fromdifferent angles.

(18) The memory card I/F 21 is provided that records the image dataoutputted from the imaging element 12 upon the storage medium 51. And,while communication with the external electronic camera is established,the CPU 20 controls the memory card I/F 21 so as to append informationto the image data outputted from the imaging element 12 with theappended information specifying that this is image data that wascaptured while communication was established. Due to this, it ispossible to record information specifying that this is pairedphotography.

According to the cooperative photography type #2 described above, sincethe electronic camera 1 on the “parent machine” side and the electroniccamera 1 on the “child machine” side are controlled so as to performphotography in unison while a pairing is established, accordingly it ispossible to cover a long photographic time interval, as compared to thephotographic time interval that is covered by a single electroniccamera. Particularly, when photography of a photographic subject is tobe performed by the “parent machine” and the “child machine” atdifferent photographic angles, then it is possible to perform sequentialshooting photography (or photography of moving images) at differentphotographic angles continuously on a so called “catch ball” basisbetween the “parent machine” and the “child machine”.

In the following, variant embodiments of the present invention will beexplained by way of example. However, the present invention should notbe considered as being limited by the first embodiment described aboveor by these variant embodiments; it would also be acceptable to providea combination of the structures of the first embodiment described aboveand of the variant embodiments below; and it would also be acceptable toemploy the structure of the variant embodiments described below, insteadof a portion of the embodiment described above.

A First Variant Embodiment

In the processing of FIG. 6 described above it would also be acceptable,if an affirmative decision has been reached in the step S13 (see FIG.6), to arrange to investigate whether or not to store in the flashmemory 19 the identification information for the electronic camera 1that has been returned as a reply (in the step S12). As described above,when a pairing terminates, for each item of identification informationspecifying an opposite party in pairing formation (for example, for eachID of an electronic camera 1), the CPU 20 stores the number of times ofpairing formation and the cumulative time period of pairing in the flashmemory 19. Thus, by referring to this stored information, ifidentification information for the electronic camera 1 from which areply has arrived is stored, then it is decided that this is an oppositeparty for which a record of pairing exists, and the flow of controlproceeds to the step S16 and the pairing is established.

On the other hand, if no identification information for the electroniccamera 1 from which a reply has arrived is stored in the flash memory19, then a request for identification information specifying theopposite parties in pairing formation stored within the electroniccamera 1 that was the source of that reply is sent to that electroniccamera 1 that was the source of the reply. When, upon receipt of thisrequest, the electronic camera 1 that was the source of the replyreturns a reply including the above described identificationinformation, then the CPU 20 that receives this reply compares togetherthe identification information stored in its own flash memory 19 and theidentification information included in this reply, and investigateswhether or not a common opposite party in pairing is included.

If the result of this comparison is that there is some common oppositeparty in pairing, then the CPU 20 decides that this is an opposite partywho is a “friend of a friend”, and displays a message upon the LCDmonitor 17 “There is a common paired opposite party. Make new pairing?”.And if an operation signal specifying “OK” operation is inputted fromthe operating members 23, then the CPU 20 proceeds to the step S16 inorder to start the pairing.

However if no such operation signal specifying “OK” operation isinputted from the operating members 23 although the message describedabove has been displayed upon the LCD monitor 17, or if the result ofthe above described comparison is that no common opposite paired partyexists, then the CPU 20 does not start any pairing, but rather the flowof control returns to the step S11. According to the variant embodiment#1 explained above, it is possible to invite the user to perform pairingwith an electronic camera 1 that is owned by an opposite party with whomthe user has a mutual friend in common.

A Second Variant Embodiment

While a pairing is established, it would be acceptable to make changesto the rankings in real time during the pairing described aboveaccording to the state of communication (i.e. the communicationdistance). Since the level of signal reception by the CPU 20 on the“parent machine” side changes according to the communication distance,accordingly it changes the ranking according to the level of signalreception by the communication control circuit 22. If the rankings areranking-3 and ranking-2 while a pairing is established, then the mainCPU 20 performs lowering of the ranking when the respective signallevels drop below some decision threshold value. In this case, the CPU20 stores the changed values in the flash memory 19 in correspondencewith identification information for the opposite party in pairingformation, and performs limitation of viewing and/or limitation ofcopying according to the rankings after change. The ranking informationis transmitted from the “parent machine” to the “child machine”, and ismanaged by the “parent machine”.

By changing the rankings in real time during a pairing, the low passfilter processing during image viewing which is performed between the“parent machine” and the “child machine” is changed in real time whilethe pairing is established. Due to this, according to this variantembodiment #2, when a photographic image that is included in a filefolder upon the electronic camera 1 that is the opposite party inpairing formation is displayed upon this electronic camera 1 itself andis viewed, since the state of blurring of the reproduced image that isdisplayed upon the LCD monitor 17 of this electronic camera itselfchanges according to the state of communication (i.e. according to thecommunication distance), accordingly it is possible to apprehend thedistance to the opposite party in pairing formation in an intuitivemanner.

A Third Variant Embodiment

During pairing formation, it would be acceptable to make a change to therankings during pairing corresponding to the degree of resemblancebetween an image (a public image) for which viewing by the oppositeparty in the pairing is permitted (i.e. an image within a file folderfor which sharing has been set in advance on one's own side), and animage for which viewing is permitted by the opposite party (i.e. animage within a file folder for which sharing has been set in advance onthe side of the opposite party). The CPU 20 determines the level ofresemblance using a per se known pattern matching technique. The CPU 20on the “parent machine” side raises the ranking if the degree ofresemblance is high, and lowers the ranking if the degree of resemblanceis low. And, along with the CPU 20 storing the changed contents in theflash memory 19 in correspondence with the identification informationfor the opposite party in pairing formation, the feature that viewinglimitation and copy limitation according to the rankings after changeare respected, and the feature that the CPU 20 transmits the rankinginformation from the “parent machine” to the “child machine” and thatthe “parent machine” performs management, are the same as in the casedescribed above.

Generally, the possibility is high that associates who performactivities in the same circle or the like, or friends who do thingstogether, will photograph the same type of photographic subject. Thus,by arranging to separate the rankings according to the degree ofresemblance of the photographic images, it is possible automatically togroup together into pairings opposite parties whose tastes related tophotography are close.

A Fourth Variant Embodiment

During pairing formation, it would be acceptable to make a change to therankings during pairing by comparing together the photographic positions(i.e. the GPS information) at an image (a public image) for whichviewing by the opposite party in the pairing is permitted (i.e. an imagewithin a file folder for which sharing has been set in advance on one'sown side), and at an image for which viewing by the opposite party ispermitted (i.e. an image within a file folder for which sharing has beenset in advance on the side of the opposite party). The CPU 20 on the“parent machine” side raises the ranking if the photographic positionsare close together, and lowers the ranking if the photographic positionsare far apart. And, along with the CPU 20 storing the changed contentsin the flash memory 19 in correspondence with the identificationinformation for the opposite party in pairing formation, the featurethat viewing limitation and copy limitation according to the rankingsafter change are respected, and the feature that the CPU 20 transmitsthe ranking information from the “parent machine” to the “child machine”and that the “parent machine” performs management, are the same as inthe case described above.

Generally, the possibility is high that associates who performactivities in the same circle or the like, or friends who do thingstogether, will take photographs in the same type of place. Thus, byarranging to divide the rankings according to the degree of matching ofthe photographic positions, it is possible automatically to grouptogether into pairings opposite parties whose tastes related tophotography are close.

A Fifth Variant Embodiment

During pairing formation, it would be acceptable to make a change in therankings during pairing by comparing together the photographicconditions for an image (a public image) for which viewing by theopposite party in the pairing is permitted (i.e. an image within a filefolder for which sharing has been set in advance on one's own side), andan image for which viewing by the opposite party is permitted (i.e. animage within a file folder for which sharing has been set in advance onthe side of the opposite party). The CPU 20 on the “parent machine” sideraises the ranking if the photographic conditions match, and lowers theranking if the photographic positions are different. And, along with theCPU 20 storing the changed contents in the flash memory 19 incorrespondence with the identification information for the oppositeparty in pairing formation, the feature that viewing limitation and copylimitation according to the rankings after change are respected, and thefeature that the CPU 20 transmits the ranking information from the“parent machine” to the “child machine” and that the “parent machine”performs management, are the same as in the case described above.

Generally, the possibility is high that people who perform photographyin similar photographic conditions will have tastes related tophotography that are close. Thus, by arranging to divide the rankingsaccording to the degree of matching of the photographic conditions, itis possible automatically to group together into pairings oppositeparties whose tastes related to photography are close.

A Sixth Variant Embodiment

It would be acceptable to make a change in the rankings according to theconditions of pairing formation. When a pairing according to the abovedescribed “hand clasping” becomes established, the CPU 20 on the “parentmachine” side raises the ranking by one level as compared to the normalranking (in other words, the ranking that is determined according to thenumber of times of pairing formation and the cumulative time period ofpairing, that is management information recorded in the flash memory19). Since it may be supposed that the degree of intimacy is high ifpairing formation is established by human body communication,accordingly the ranking is automatically raised, so that the convenienceof use is good. If the ranking is raised in this manner as well, alongwith the CPU 20 storing the changed contents in the flash memory 19 incorrespondence with the identification information for the oppositeparty in pairing formation, the feature that viewing limitation and copylimitation according to the rankings after change are respected, and thefeature that the CPU 20 transmits the ranking information from the“parent machine” to the “child machine” and that the “parent machine”performs management, are the same as in the case described above.According to this variant embodiment #6, it is possible automatically togroup together opposite parties whose degrees of mutual intimacy arehigh.

A Seventh Variant Embodiment

If the pairing formation condition is “face identification”, then itwould be acceptable to make a change in the rankings during pairingaccording to the degree of smiling of the face obtained from the throughimage using “face identification”. If the degree of smiling of the faceobtained from the through image using “face identification” is higherthan some predetermined value, then the CPU 20 on the “parent machine”side raises the ranking by one level as compared to the normal ranking(in other words, the ranking that is determined according to the numberof times of pairing formation and the cumulative time period of pairing,that is management information recorded in the flash memory 19). Sinceit may be supposed that the degree of intimacy is high if the degree ofsmiling of the face is high, accordingly the ranking is automaticallyraised, so that the convenience of use is good.

The decision as to the degree of smiling of the face in this variantembodiment is made during smiling face detection. On the basis of datacorresponding to the region of a face of a person that has beenspecified in the through image data, the CPU 20 makes a decision as towhether or not this face is smiling. The explanation of this smilingface detection processing will be omitted, since it is prior arttechnology. If it has been decided that this face is smiling, then theCPU 20 also determines the degree of smiling of this smiling face. Thedegree of facial smiling may, for example, be specified in three steps:2 (big laugh), 1 (medium laugh), and 0 (smile). The CPU 20 raises theranking by one level above the normal ranking when the degree of facialsmiling is 2.

An Eighth Variant Embodiment

In the cooperative photography type #1 described above, it would also beacceptable for the photographic conditions to be different, such as forthe focal distance of the “parent machine” to be longer than the focaldistance of the “child machine”. For example, if the focal distance ofthe “parent machine” is equivalent to 85 mm, the focal distance of the“child machine” may be equivalent to 35 mm. This avoids the imagephotographed by the electronic camera 1 on the “parent machine” side andthe image photographed by the electronic camera 1 on the “child machine”side undesirably looking too much like one another. And it is arrangedto use the white balance adjustment value employed by the electroniccamera 1 that is performing “wide” photography (in this example, thiscorresponds to 35 mm) as the white balance adjustment value used by theother electronic camera 1.

Since generally there is more color information in the photographicscene in the case of “wide” photography than in the case of “zoom”photography, accordingly a more appropriate white balance adjustmentvalue is obtained. By using this white balance adjustment value incommon on both the “parent machine” and the “child machine”, it ispossible to photograph a better set of hues with both of the electroniccameras 1, as compared to the case in which different white balanceadjustment values are used. This type of control is appropriate whenperforming cooperative photography of the same photographic subject atapproximately the same time point.

Furthermore, if the focal distances are controlled to be differentbetween the “parent machine” and the “child machine”, then it would alsobe possible to ensure that the shutter speeds are the same between the“parent machine” and the “child machine”. This type of setting of theimage capture conditions is an appropriate setting during cooperativephotography of the same photographic subject that is moving, atapproximately the same time point. For example, it is possible toacquire simultaneously both an image in which the photographic subjectis stationary and an image in which the photographic subject is moving.Moreover, if control is performed to set the same focal distance betweenthe “parent machine” and the “child machine”, then it would also bepossible to arrange to perform control of the aperture openings so thatthey are different between the “parent machine” and the “child machine”.This type of setting of the image capture conditions is an appropriatesetting during cooperative photography of the same photographic subjectat approximately the same time point, and, for example, may be appliedto acquire images with different levels of blurring simultaneously. Dueto this the user is able to select the image that he desires, afterphotography. If control is performed to set the same focal distance forboth the “parent machine” and the “child machine”, then it would also bepossible to arrange to set the shutter speeds so that they are differentbetween the “parent machine” and the “child machine”. This type ofsetting is an appropriate setting during cooperative photography of thesame photographic subject that is moving, at approximately the same timepoint. For example, it is possible to acquire simultaneously both animage in which the photographic subject is stationary and an image inwhich the photographic subject is moving. The examples described aboveare only particular examples; it is possible to implement variouscombinations of photographic conditions between the “parent machine” andthe “child machine”, as desired. As examples of such photographicconditions, as described above, the photographic optical systemmagnification ratio, the shutter speed, the aperture value, thesensitivity, the color adjustment processing information, and so on maybe cited.

A Ninth Variant Embodiment

In the cooperative photography type #2 described above, an example wasexplained in which sequential shooting photography was performed whilethe release button 23 a was operated continuously by being depressed.Instead of this, it would also be acceptable to arrange to performsequential shooting photography from when the release button 23 a isoperated by being depressed until a predetermined time period (forexample ten seconds) has elapsed. In this case, in the step S206 (FIG.18), the CPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision when the elapsed timefrom the affirmative decision in the step S202 (or S212) reaches thepredetermined time period described above.

A Tenth Variant Embodiment

Or it would also be acceptable to arrange to perform sequential shootingphotography from when the release button 23 a is operated by beingdepressed until the number of sequential shots reaches a predeterminednumber of shots, for example thirty shots. In this case, in the stepS206, the CPU 20 reaches an affirmative decision when the number ofsequentially shot frames from the affirmative decision in the step S202(or S212) reaches the predetermined number of frames described above.

An Eleventh Variant Embodiment

Instead of recording the sequentially shot photographic images describedabove as still images, it would also be acceptable to arrange to recordthem as a video file (i.e. as a moving image). Furthermore, it wouldalso be acceptable to arrange for one of the electronic cameras 1 torecord as a still image, and for the other of the electronic cameras 1to record as a moving image.

A Twelfth Variant Embodiment

While, during photography with one of the electronic cameras 1, it isarranged for the other of the electronic cameras 1 to wait forphotography, it would also be acceptable to arrange for sound recordingto be performed during this waiting for photography. In this case, theCPU 20 starts to capture sound for sound recording with the mike 26 ifan affirmative decision is reached in the step S201, and continues tocapture sound until an affirmative decision is reached in the step S211.

The CPU 20 sends a command to the audio processing circuit 25, andcauses it to amplify the audio signal captured by the mike 26 and thento convert it into digital audio data. And the CPU 20 includesinformation specifying that this is audio obtained by sound recordingduring pairing formation in a header region (i.e. in a tag region)within the audio file. Moreover, the CPU 20 sends a command to thememory card interface 21, and causes it to record this audio file uponthe storage medium 51. The information specifying that this is audiosound recorded during pairing formation includes identificationinformation for the opposite party in the pairing, and sound recordingtime point information that is based upon the counted time after timematching. It should be understood that, instead of the CPU 20 recordingthe information specifying that this is audio recorded during pairingformation in the header region of the audio file, it would also beacceptable for the CPU 20 to record it as a separate file that iscorrelated with the audio file.

A Thirteenth Variant Embodiment

While, in the explanation given above, in the case of “camera contact”,it is arranged to determine which is the “parent machine” and which isthe “child machine” on the basis of the “upper” versus “lower” decision,it would also be acceptable to arrange to determine which is the “parentmachine” and which is the “child machine” on the basis of a “left”versus “right” decision. In this case, for example, in the step S25(FIG. 6), the CPU 20 performs “left side” decision processing. This“left side” decision is a decision as to which of the electronic cameras1 is positioned on the left side when the electronic cameras 1 come intomutual contact; in this variant embodiment, when viewed from the rear ofthe electronic cameras 1, the side that is positioned in the directionof the left hand is taken as being the “left” side.

The CPU 20 arrives at the “left side” decision by referring to adecision table such as shown by way of example in FIG. 20, on the basisof the direction of gravity based upon the detection signal from theattitude sensor 24, and on the basis of contact electrode informationbased upon the signal from the communication control circuit 22. As anexample, a case will be explained in which the electronic camera 1 isheld in a vertical position (i.e. with its right side downwards), and,on its surface on which the release button 23 a is provided, cameracontact is made with the left side of the other electronic camera 1(this being in an upright position). Since the direction of gravity forthe electronic camera 1 is towards the transmit/receive electrode 22 dand its contacting electrode is the transmit/receive electrode 22 b,accordingly the CPU 20 reaches a decision of “left”. In this variantembodiment #13, the machine for which “left” has been decided is takenas being the “parent machine”, while the machine for which “right” hasbeen decided is taken as being the “child machine”. On the other hand,since the direction of gravity for the other electronic camera 1 thathas come into contact with the electronic camera 1 described above istowards the transmit/receive electrode 22 c (since this other camera 1is in the upright position) and the contacting electrode is the one onits left side (i.e. is the transmit/receive electrode 22 e), accordinglythe CPU of that other electronic camera 1 reaches a decision of “right”.When a decision of “left” has been made, then the CPU 20 reaches anaffirmative decision in the step S25, and the flow of control istransferred to the step S16. But if a decision of “left” has not beenmade, then the CPU 20 reaches a negative decision in the step S25, andthe flow of control is transferred to the step S20.

A Fourteenth Variant Embodiment

With regard to the time matching during pairing (the steps S27 and S28of FIG. 6), an example has been explained in which the time point on the“child machine” is matched to the time point on the “parent machine”.Instead of this, it would also be acceptable to arrange to performmatching to the one among the times of the “parent machine” and the“child machine” that is the earlier, or to perform matching to a onethereof that is provided with a function of correcting its time on thebasis of a standard radio wave that it receives.

A Fifteenth Variant Embodiment

In the explanation given above, it is arranged for the CPU 20 toterminate the pairing automatically in any one or more of the followingcases: if the vacant capacity of the storage medium 51 is less than thepredetermined vacant capacity; if information to the effect that thevacant capacity of the storage medium 51 on the side of the otherelectronic camera 1 is less than the predetermined vacant capacity hasbeen acquired by communication; if the remaining capacity of the battery52 is less than the predetermined remaining capacity; or if informationto the effect that the remaining capacity of the battery 52 on the sideof the other electronic camera 1 is less than the predeterminedremaining capacity has been acquired by communication. In addition tothese, it would also be acceptable for the CPU 20 to terminate theprocessing of FIG. 6 directly if the vacant capacity of the storagemedium 51 at the time point just before the start of the processing ofthe step S11 of FIG. 6 is less than some predetermined vacant capacity,or if the remaining capacity of the battery 52 is less than somepredetermined vacant capacity at the time point just before the start ofthe processing of the step S11 of FIG. 6.

Moreover, it would also be acceptable for the CPU 20 that has received acommunication request (in the step S17) to terminate the processing ofFIG. 6 without sending any reply, if at the time point just beforesending a reply (the step S18) the vacant capacity of the storage medium51 is less than some predetermined vacant capacity, or if the remainingcapacity of the battery 52 is less than some predetermined vacantcapacity at the time point just before sending a reply (the step S18).According to this variant embodiment #15, it is possible to avoid theoccurrence of the situation that it becomes impossible to record uponthe storage medium 51 during pairing formation, or that operationbecomes impossible due to depletion of the battery 52 during pairingformation.

A Sixteenth Variant Embodiment

In the first embodiment described above, as one example of registrationof an external device with which a pairing is to be established, anexample was explained in which the “face” of a person using an externaldevice was registered. Instead of this, it would also be acceptable toarrange to register the name or the like of an external device. In thiscase, instead of displaying a “paired person setting” screen (FIG. 5)upon the LCD monitor 17, the CPU 20 will display an “external devicesetting” screen. The CPU 20 displays a list of external devices uponthis “external device setting” screen, instead of thumbnail images of“faces”. This external device list, for example, may include the namesor type numbers, or their IDs or the like of external devices.

The CPU 20 sets an external device shown by a check mark similar to theone in FIG. 5 as an external device to be established as an oppositeparty in a pairing. And the CPU 20 establishes a pairing if thecondition is satisfied that the ID included in information returned inresponse to a communication request (the step S11 of FIG. 6) and the IDof an external device that has been set using the “external devicesetting” screen agree with one another.

It should be understood that while an example has been explained inwhich a decision is made as to whether or not the ID included in theinformation returned in response to the communication request (the stepS11) agrees with the ID of an external device that has been set usingthe “external device setting” screen in this variant embodiment, itwould also be acceptable to arrange for this step to be varied accordingto requirements. For example, a circuit structure may be adopted inwhich supply of power to the communication control circuit 22 is alwaysprovided. And it may be arranged for the CPU 20 to decide that theexternal device is not started, or that its power supply is off if noreply can be detected from any external device that is set by “externaldevice setting”, and to transmit via the communication control circuit22 a signal that causes the external device to start up or its powersupply to be turned on. And, having made a decision that the externaldevice is in a state in which it can operate on the basis of informationthat is returned from the external device after it has started to theeffect, when it can operate, the CPU 20 causes a pairing to becomeestablished. The CPU 20 makes this decision as to whether or not theexternal device is in a state in which it can operate by receiving fromthe external device information as to whether or not contact by the userto the casing of the external device or the like has been detected bythe contact sensor provided to that casing, or information as to whetheror not operation of the external device by the user has been detected.It should be understood that it would also be acceptable to arrange toemploy the transmission/reception electrodes 22 b through 22 e that areprovided to the external device as contact sensors.

Furthermore, the variant embodiment of this communication request (inthe step S11) can also be applied to the embodiment described above inwhich an example of registering the “face” of a person using an externaldevice was explained. In concrete terms, it will be acceptable toarrange for the CPU 20 to recognize a face for which the user hasperformed photograph registration in an image displayed upon the LCDmonitor 17, and to turn the power supply to the opposite partyelectronic camera ON via the communication control circuit 22 when, forexample, the OK switch 23 h is depressed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG.5, it will be acceptable to arrange for the CPU 20 to start, via thecommunication control circuit 22, an electronic camera that is possessedby a person for whom the check box on the paired person setting screenis checked. In this case, since in some cases it is unclear whether ornot the person for whom the check box is checked is nearby, it will beacceptable to arrange to perform this communication by setting thecommunication distance to within 10 m to 100 m. Moreover, if aviewfinder that recognizes the photographic field is provided to theelectronic camera 1, it would also be acceptable to arrange for faceidentification to be performed upon the image that is displayed in thisviewfinder instead of performing face identification upon the image thatis displayed upon the LCD monitor 17.

The starting of the power supply of the opposite party electronic camera1 due to a pairing request is not to be considered as being limited tothe case of face identification described above, but may also be appliedto the cases of human body communication or camera contact. In thiscase, in order to recognize that this is not mere hand clasping or apairing request but is camera contact, it would be acceptable to arrangeto utilize the OK switch 23 h or to arrange for the power supply of theopposite party electronic camera 1 to be turned ON via the communicationcontrol circuit 22, if the time period of hand clasping is continuedfor, for example, three seconds or more, or if the predetermined timeperiod for camera contact is continued for, for example, three secondsor more. It should be understood that, in this case, it does not matterwhether the power supply of the electronic camera 1 is in the ON stateor is in the OFF state. The electronic camera 1 and the other electroniccamera 1 may be built so that power is supplied to their communicationcontrol circuits 22 even when their main power supplies are in the OFFstate. And, in the electronic camera 1, the various sections that makeup the electronic camera 1 may be caused to start by the main powersupply being turned ON, when human body communication or camera contacthas been detected by the communication control circuit 22.

A Seventeenth Variant Embodiment

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, an example was explainedin which pairing was established under the condition that “faceidentification” was performed after the CPU 20 established communicationwith the other electronic camera 1. Instead of this it would also beacceptable to adopt a structure in which communication with the otherelectronic camera 1 is started after “face identification” is performedbefore establishing communication during setting of the paired mode. Inthis case, as in the embodiment described above, before startingcommunication with the external device, it would be acceptable for anysingle pairing formation condition from among the plurality of pairingformation conditions to be set in advance; and it would also beacceptable for no pairing formation condition to be set. As describedabove, in the case of “face identification”, along with reproducing anddisplaying the through image that is used for “face identification” uponthe LCD monitor 17 in real time, the CPU 20 also displays a display of aframe or the like that indicates this “face” as superimposed upon thethrough image. It would be acceptable to arrange for the CPU 20 to startcommunication automatically in this state and to establish a pairing; orit would also be acceptable to start communication and to establish apairing in the state in which “face identification” has been performedand moreover the OK switch 23 h has been operated by being depressed.

Furthermore, if a plurality of “faces” have been identified, along withdisplaying a frame that indicates each of the “faces”, the CPU 20selects the frame that corresponds to the largest face (i.e. the onethat occupies the greatest proportion of the display screen), anddisplays that frame in a different mode from the other frames (i.e. withdifferent luminance or color). When the cruciform switch 23 g isoperated, the CPU 20 changes over the display of this selection frame tothe frame that surrounds the “face” positioned in the direction of thatactuation. The CPU 20 starts communication with the external devicehaving an ID corresponding to the “face” that corresponds to the framethat is selected at the time point that the OK switch 23 h is operatedby being depressed, and establishes a pairing therewith.

An Eighteenth Variant Embodiment

Furthermore while in the embodiment described above an example has beenexplained in which one from among a plurality of pairing formationconditions is set in advance before communication with an externaldevice starts, it would also be acceptable to arrange for it not to beabsolutely necessary to set the pairing formation condition beforecommunication starts. For example it may be arranged for the CPU 20 toperform at least one of processing of “face identification”, “handclasping”, and “camera contact” if the paired mode is set by operationof the mode switch 23 d. If the CPU 20 has detected either “handclasping” or “camera contact” via the communication control circuit 22,then it is arranged for it to start communication with the otherelectronic camera 1 automatically, and to establish a pairing.

Furthermore, it would also be acceptable to arrange to startcommunication automatically with the other electronic camera 1, and toestablish a pairing if the CPU 20 has detected “hand clasping” or“camera contact” even though the pairing formation condition is forexample set to normal. It should be understood that, in these cases,instead of automatically starting communication, it would also beacceptable to arrange for the CPU 20 to display on the LCD monitor 17 aquery to ask whether or not it is acceptable to establish a pairing ifit has detected “hand clasping” and “camera contact”, and to startcommunication if the OK switch 23 h is operated by being depressed.According to this variant embodiment, as appropriate, the CPU 20 mayestablish wireless communication with that external device for which ithas decided that the intensity of the received signal detected by thewireless communication circuit is the highest, and may establish apairing with that external device.

A Nineteenth Variant Embodiment

In the embodiment described above, an example was explained in which thepaired mode automatically ended in accordance with the setting of thepairing OFF timer. Instead of this, it would also be acceptable toarrange to set the time period for remaining in the paired modeaccording to the time period of “hand clasping”. As described above, thecommunication control circuit 22 has a human body communication functionof performing communication via the human body upon a command from theCPU 20. The CPU 20 measures the time period of “hand clasping” via thecommunication control circuit 22, and sets the time period for remainingin the paired mode according to the measured time period. Moreover, inthis case, it would be acceptable to arrange for the CPU 20 to terminatethe pairing, whichever comes earlier: paired mode cancellation operationto terminate the pairing, and elapsing of the time period for remainingin the paired mode as determined by the “hand clasping” time period.

Furthermore, it would also be possible to set the time period forremaining in the paired mode according to the time period of “cameracontact”. As described above, the CPU 20 detects whether or not the twoelectronic cameras 1 have come into direct contact via thetransmission/reception electrodes 22 b through 22 e provided to thecasing of the electronic camera 1, and via the communication controlcircuit 22. The CPU 20 measures the time period of direct contactbetween the two electronic cameras 1 via the communication controlcircuit 22, and sets the time period for remaining in the paired modeaccording to this measured time pairing. Moreover, in this case, itwould be acceptable to arrange for the CPU 20 to terminate the pairing,whichever comes earlier: paired mode cancellation operation to terminatethe pairing, and elapsing of the time period for remaining in the pairedmode as determined by the “camera contact” time period. Furthermore, itwould also be acceptable to set the time period for remaining in thepaired mode according to the time period of “camera contact”.

A Twentieth Variant Embodiment

Other than the wireless communication being performed by transmittingand receiving radio waves, it would also be acceptable for it to beperformed by transmission and reception of infrared light. Moreover,although the example of electronic cameras 1 has been explained, thepresent invention could also be applied to cameras of other types thanelectronic cameras 1, or to electronic devices of other types, such asportable telephones, video cameras, music players, or the like.

A Twenty-First Variant Embodiment

While, in the above explanation, an example with a single “parentmachine” and a single “child machine” has been explained, it would alsobe acceptable to make it possible to establish a pairing between asingle “parent machine” and a plurality of “child machines”.

The Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the drawings. In the following explanation, the samereference symbols will be appended to structural elements that are thesame as ones in the first embodiment, and the explanation willconcentrate upon the points of difference. Features that are notparticularly explained are the same as in the first embodiment.

An embodiment is explained in which the invention of the presentapplication is applied to image reproduction by a digital still camera(hereinafter termed a DSC or an electronic camera). While in this secondembodiment the explanation cites an example of an electronic camera ofthe compact type, it could also be a single lens reflex type or anelectronic camera of some other type. The physical structure of theelectronic camera of this second embodiment is the same as the structureof the electronic camera of the first embodiment shown in the blockdiagram of FIG. 1. It should be understood that parts and circuits ofthe camera that do not have any direct relationship to imagereproduction are not shown in the figures, and explanation thereof isomitted.

Along with an image reproduction program that will be describedhereinafter being included in the programs for execution by the CPU 20stored in the flash memory 19, data for reference as explained inconnection with the first embodiment is also stored. Along withcontrolling operations of the electronic camera 1 of various types suchas image capture, exposure, focus adjustment (AF), image display and soon as explained in connection with the first embodiment, the CPU 20 alsocontrols image reproduction by executing this image reproduction programthat will be described hereinafter.

A memory card 51 is installed to a memory card interface 21 via aconnector (not shown in the figures). This memory card interface 21performs writing of data for images and for information of various typesupon the memory card 51, and performs reading in of data for images andfor information of various types from the memory card 51. While in thissecond embodiment, by way of example, a memory card 51 is explained thatinternally houses semiconductor memory, it would be possible to use arecording medium of any type that can record data for images andinformation of various types. A communication control circuit 22performs wireless communication via an antenna 22 a with externaldevices, including other electronic cameras. Moreover, as explained inconnection with the first embodiment, the communication control circuit22 is endowed with a human body communication function of communicatingvia the human body.

An OK switch 23 h of the operating members 23 is also used as a releasebutton for another electronic camera that is in a relationship ofpairing with this camera. When a mode of remote control photography withanother electronic camera, i.e. a paired relationship, is established,then a release signal is sent to that electronic camera via thecommunication control circuit 22 when the OK switch 23 h is operated bybeing depressed, and photographic operation is executed by thatelectronic camera.

In this electronic camera 1 according to the second embodiment, the CPU20 performs communication with the other electronic camera that hasapproximately the same structure as this electronic camera, andestablishes a state (hereinafter termed the “paired state”) in whichcollaborative photography can be performed by the plurality of cameras.In concrete terms, one among this electronic camera 1 and the otherelectronic camera transmits a command and data to the other, and thepaired state becomes established upon the satisfaction of certainpredetermined conditions that will be described hereinafter after theelectronic camera that receives these returns a reply to the electroniccamera that was the origin of transmission of the command andcommunication is established.

As explained in connection with the first embodiment, in this secondembodiment as well, the user is able to select from among the four typesof pairing formation condition “normal”, “face identification”, “handclasping”, and “camera contact”. The processing for selecting a pairingformation condition is the same as in the first embodiment. It should beunderstood that, in this second embodiment, if pairing has becomeestablished under the condition “normal”, then the electronic camera onthe side that initially transmits a command and data is taken as beingthe “parent machine”, while the electronic camera on the side thatreceives them is taken as being the “child machine”.

It should be understood that, in this second embodiment, a paired folderis created each time a pairing with another electronic camera isestablished and paired photography is performed with that otherelectronic camera. Due to this, naturally a plurality of paired foldersmay be present. Among these paired folders, in some cases several havethe same opposite party in pairing in common, and in some cases theiropposite parties in pairing are different; and in some cases, althoughseveral have the same opposite party in pairing, their time points ofphotography (including their dates of photography) are different.Identification information for the opposite party in pairing,photographic time point information, folder sharing setting informationand so on are recorded in the properties of each paired folder.

In this second embodiment, the operation for cooperative photographyduring pairing is the same as the operation for cooperative photographythat has been explained in connection with the first embodiment and thevariant embodiments described above. In other words, the CPU 20 executesphotographic operation when operation of the release button 23 a (referto FIG. 2) takes place during pairing formation. During pairedphotography, while the same photographic subject is photographed by theplurality of electronic cameras that are in the paired relationship,communication between the cameras is mutually performed and thephotographic conditions are varied a little at a time, in order for theresultant images not to resemble one another too closely. For example,if one of the electronic cameras is set to wide angle, then the otherelectronic camera is automatically set to telephoto, in other words, thezoom ratio is somewhat altered. In this case, by communication betweenthe electronic cameras, the electronic camera that is equipped with thehigher zoom ratio is set to telephoto, while the electronic camera thatis equipped with the lens that can perform photography at a wider angleis set to wide angle. And, since the wide angle electronic cameraprovides more color information, accordingly, along with performingwhite balance control on the basis of the image from the electroniccamera that is set to wide angle, also common white balance control isperformed by feeding back the information from this camera to the otherelectronic camera that is set to telephoto.

Furthermore, the sensitivity and the shutter speed are controlledbetween this plurality of electronic cameras that are in a pairedrelationship, and, along with a high shutter speed being set for one ofthe electronic cameras, a low shutter speed is set for the otherelectronic camera, so that a photographic subject that is moving or thelike can be photographed simultaneously by both cameras in a tastefulmanner. In portrait photography, photographic guiding is performed sothat it is possible to perform photography from somewhat differentangles. In other words, face recognition is performed upon the throughimage, and guidance is performed by audio and by a monitor image so thateach of the cameras performs photography at a different angle, such asslantingly from the right front and slantingly from the left front, orfrom the front and from the side, or the like.

Furthermore, during paired photography, photography in unison isperformed by performing communication between the plurality ofelectronic cameras that are in the paired relationship. In other words,it is made possible to perform photography over a long time period byperforming photography while spacing the time points of photographyapart from one another. In the case of movie photography it is possibleto perform photography of moving images successively from differentphotographic angles by subsequently performing movie photography withthe other electronic camera on a so called “mutual catch ball” basisafter movie photography has been performed by one of the electroniccameras. In a similar manner in the case of still image photography aswell, after one or a plurality of still images have been photographed byone of the electronic cameras, subsequently, by performing photographyof one or a plurality of still images with the other electronic camera,still image photography is performed on a so called “mutual catch ball”basis, so that it is possible to provide a slide show of a series ofimages that have been photographed by the plurality of electroniccameras during image reproduction.

Next, a method will be explained for reproduction of images that havebeen photographed as described above by the plurality of electroniccameras during pairing formation, and that have been recorded upon therecording medium 51. It should be understood that while in thisembodiment an example is shown of reproducing the images upon anelectronic camera 1, the reproduction of images that have beenphotographed in the paired state is not limited to being performed uponan electronic camera 1; it would also be acceptable to arrange toperform reproduction processing as explained below on a personalcomputer (hereinafter termed a “PC”) by transferring the images thathave been photographed in the paired state to the PC. Or it would alsobe acceptable to perform the reproduction processing described belowupon a digital photo frame (hereinafter termed a “DPF”) by transferringthem to the DPF.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing the image reproduction program of thisembodiment. When a reproduction mode is selected with the mode switch 23d of the operating members 23, then the CPU 20 starts executing theimage reproduction program shown in FIG. 21. In a step S401, the CPU 20displays a “folder display” screen upon the LCD monitor 17, and showsall of the image folders that are subjects for reproduction. These imagefolders that are subjects for reproduction are all of the image foldersthat are recorded on the memory card 51 of this electronic camera 1, andalso the paired folders.

In a step S402, the CPU 20 determines whether or not a paired folder hasbeen selected by folder selection operation with the cruciform switch 23g and the OK switch 23 h of the operating members 23. If a paired folderis not selected, then the flow of control proceeds to a step S403 andthe CPU 20 reads out the image files in the folder that has beenselected and displays them on the LCD monitor 17. It should beunderstood that the reproduction processing for images that are recordedin a folder other than a paired folder, in other words the reproductionprocessing for images other than images that have been photographed bypaired photography, is performed by reproduction processing according toa prior art method, and accordingly explanation thereof will here beomitted.

On the other hand, if a paired folder has been selected, then the flowof control is transferred to a step S404, in which the CPU 20 reads inthe paired photographic image data recorded in the paired folder on theelectronic camera that is the opposite party in the pairing. And the CPU20 stores the pair of this paired photographic image data that has beenread in and the paired photographic images that are recorded in thepaired folder of this electronic camera 1 itself in the RAM 18 (refer toFIG. 1) together as a paired image group. As described above, in imagedata that has been photographed by paired photography, identificationinformation for the opposite party in the pairing (the camera ID or thelike) and photographic time information are recorded in the headerregion of the image files. Accordingly, the CPU 20 reads in the pairedphotographic images from the electronic camera that is the oppositeparty in the pairing on the basis of this information.

As described above, a paired folder is created each time a pairedrelationship becomes established with the other electronic camera andpaired photography is performed with that other electronic camera. Dueto this, it is naturally possible for a plurality of paired folders tobe present. With a plurality of paired folders, in some cases theopposite party in the pairing is the same and in some cases the oppositeparties in the pairing are different, and also, in some cases, eventhough the opposite party in the pairing is the same, the plurality ofpaired folders have different time points of photography (i.e. differentdates). Identification information for the opposite party in thepairing, information about the time point of photography, informationabout folder sharing settings, and so on are recorded in the propertiesof the paired folders.

The CPU 20 reads out the identification information for the oppositeparty in the pairing and the time of photography information from theproperties of the paired folder that has been selected as the subjectfor reproduction. And next the CPU 20 performs communication with theelectronic camera that is the opposite party in the pairing and sends toit the identification information of this electronic camera itself andthe photographic time point information of the paired folder that is tobe the subject for reproduction. And the CPU 20 requests the electroniccamera that is the opposite party in the pairing to perform a search fora paired folder having the same time point or of almost the same timepoint as the paired folder that is to be the subject of reproduction.The electronic camera that is the opposite party in the pairing thenconsults the properties of the paired folders that are recorded in itsmemory and finds a paired folder corresponding to the paired folder thatis the subject for reproduction, in other words a paired folder whoseidentification information and time point of photography agree withthose of the opposite party in the pairing, and transmits the pairedphotographic image data included in this paired folder that has beenfound to the electronic camera that was the source of the request.

It should be understood that identification information for the oppositeparty in the pairing and photographic time point information are alsorecorded in the header region of each of the sets of paired photographicimage data. The CPU 20 reads out this information and sends to theelectronic camera that is the opposite party in the pairing theidentification information of this electronic camera itself and thephotographic time point information of the image that is to be thesubject for reproduction, and requests the electronic camera that is theopposite party in the pairing to perform a search for a pairedphotographic image having almost the same photographic time point as thepaired photographic image that is the subject for reproduction. Theelectronic camera that is the opposite party in the pairing consults theheader region of the paired image data recorded in its memory and findsa paired photographic image corresponding to the paired photographicimage that is to be the subject for reproduction, and transmits thisdata to the electronic camera that was the source of the request. Itshould be understood that it would be acceptable for the reading in ofthe paired photographic image from the opposite party in the pairing bythe communication control circuit 22 to be performed by wirelesscommunication; or it could also be performed by cable communication,i.e. by connecting via a communication cable to the electronic camerathat is the opposite party in the pairing.

Next, in a step S405, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the images inthe paired image group are images of a person. In the case ofreproduction of paired photographic images in which a person has beenphotographed as the main photographic subject, when reproducing imagesshot by a plurality of electronic cameras in the order of time ofphotography, the photographic angle changes frequently and sometimes theperson is difficult to see. Reproduction of the paired photographicimages of a person all together for each photographic angle will imparta somewhat more effective natural feeling. Setting informationspecifying the photographic scene mode, for example “macro”, “scenery”,“portrait”, “night scene” or the like, is recorded in the header regionsof the image files. If the photographic scene mode is “portrait”, thenthe CPU 20 decides that this is the image of a person. Or, it would alsobe acceptable for the CPU 20 to decide whether or not it is an image ofa person by scene analysis of the image itself.

In the case of reproducing paired photographic images in which a personhas been shot as the main photographic subject, the flow of controlproceeds to a step S406. Among the paired photographic images from theplurality of paired cameras that are stored in the folder of the pairedimage group, the CPU 20 displays the images photographed by one of thecameras, for example the “parent machine”, upon the LCD monitor 17 inthe order of time point of photography at predetermined intervals, thusperforming slide show reproduction. And thereafter the CPU 20 displaysthe images photographed by the other one of the cameras, for example the“child machine”, upon the LCD monitor 17 in the order of time point ofphotography at predetermined intervals, thus performing slide showreproduction. By doing this, for each photographic angle, it is possibleeffectively to provide a slide show of a series of images that arematched to the movement of the person during photography, so that it ispossible to implement more natural image reproduction.

On the other hand, if the paired photographic images are not images of aperson, then the flow of control is transferred to a step S407. The CPU20 simply displays the paired photographic images photographed by theplurality of paired cameras and stored in the folder of the paired imagegroup upon the LCD monitor 17 in the order of time point of photographyat predetermined intervals, thus performing slide show reproduction. Itshould be understood that it would be acceptable for the CPU 20 not toreproduce the paired photographic images photographed by the pluralityof paired cameras in the order of time point of photography, even if thepaired photographic images are not images of a person. In this case theCPU 20 may change the method of reproduction so as to, at first,reproduce the paired photographic images photographed during pairing byone of the paired cameras, for example by the “parent machine”, in theorder of time point of photography, and so as to, subsequently,reproduce the paired photographic images photographed during pairing bythe other one of the paired cameras, for example by the “child machine”,also in the order of time point of photography. In this case, thereproduction method may be changed by a custom operation for setting ona reproduction method menu, using the operating members 23.

Furthermore, during the reproduction of the paired photographic images,sometimes it may happen that it feels uncomfortable if a number ofimages of the same type of scene are displayed successively. Thus, ifthere are images with almost the same time point of photography, thenthe CPU 20 uses images of one camera, for example images of the “parentmachine”, and then jumps to reproduce images of the other camera, forexample images of the “child machine”. Moreover, it would also beacceptable to arrange for the CPU 20 to identify an image for which theresult of image analysis is that the contour extraction amount is low sothat the image, whose image quality is poor, is determined to be animage in which hand shaking is present, to employ an image, among theimages that were photographed at approximately the same moment, forwhich the contour extraction amount is high, in other words an image forwhich there is no hand shaking, and then to jump to reproduce the imagein which hand shaking is present. Or, it would also be acceptable toarrange for the CPU 20 to perform smiling face detection upon theimages, and to employ that image for which the smiling face level (i.e.the amount of smiling) in the images that have been photographed atapproximately the same moment is the highest, and then jump to reproducean image whose smiling face level is lower. It would also be possible toprovide a custom setting in advance upon a menu screen for settingwhether or not to execute the reproduction method of reproducing oneamong the plurality of paired photographic images that were photographedat the same moment in this manner, and then jumping to the remainingimages, or as to the details of the way this jumping is performed (if itis performed) or the like.

It should be understood that, in the case of reproducing the pairedphotographic images upon a PC or a DPF, the CPU 20 may start the imageprocessing program of FIG. 21 from the step S404, may read in the pairedphotographic images from a plurality of electronic cameras in the stepS404, and may execute the processing of the steps S405 through S407described above.

While, with the second embodiment described above, an example has beenshown in which a plurality of images are recorded while being separatedinto folders or paired folders, there is no need for the imagesnecessarily to be separated according to folders. For example, providedthat the identification information for the opposite pairing in thepairing and the paired photographic time point information are recordedfor each set of image data, then they may be separated into one unit ofpaired image group on the basis of this information. Furthermore, itwould also be acceptable to arrange to record all the pairedphotographic images in a single paired folder, irrespective of theopposite parties in the pairing and the paired photographic time points.

While an example has been shown in which the image reproduction functionaccording to the present invention is provided to an electronic camerawith the second embodiment described above, it would also be acceptableto arrange to provide the image reproduction function described above toany image reproduction device that is provided with an image capturefunction, in other words to an electronic device such as a portabletelephone device or a mobile PC or the like.

It should be understood that the second embodiment described above andits variant embodiments may be combined in any combination of the secondembodiment and the variant embodiments.

According to the second embodiment described above and the variantembodiments thereof, the following beneficial operational effects may beobtained. First, when the paired photography (i.e. collaborativephotography or cooperative photography) is performed by the plurality ofelectronic cameras, and the CPU 20 reproduces the plurality of images inwhich information related to the opposite party in the pairedphotography (i.e. the opposite party in collaborative photography or incooperative photography) has been recorded for each image, it isarranged for the plurality of images that have been photographed bypaired photography by the plurality of electronic cameras atapproximately the same moment to be collected together as a paired imagegroup on the basis of the information related to the opposite party inthe paired photography and the photographic time point information, andfor the plurality of images included in the paired image group to bereproduced in the order of their photographic time points, according totheir time point information. Accordingly, it is possible to reproduce aplurality of images that have been shot by paired photography by aplurality of electronic cameras successively in an effective manner, andit is possible to recreate the movement of a photographic subject duringphotography with good fidelity.

Moreover, according to the second embodiment and the variant embodimentsthereof, it is arranged for the CPU 20 to reproduce those images thatwere captured by the second electronic camera in the order of theirphotographic time points after having reproduced those images, among theplurality of images included in the paired image group, that werecaptured by the first electronic camera in the order of theirphotographic time points. As a result, for each of the electroniccameras, it becomes possible to reproduce the images in succession inaccord with the intentions of the photographer, and it is possible torecreate the movement of the photographic subject for each of theelectronic cameras during photography with good fidelity.

According to the second embodiment and the variant embodiments thereof,the CPU 20 makes a decision as to whether or not the plurality of imagesthat are included in the paired image group are images that have beenphotographed with a person as the subject. And, if it is decided thatthey are images that have been photographed with a person as thesubject, then it is arranged for the CPU 20 to reproduce the images thatwere captured by the second electronic camera in the order of theirphotographic time points after having reproduced those images among theplurality of images included in the paired image group that werecaptured by the first electronic camera in the order of theirphotographic time points. On the other hand, if it has been decided thatthey are images that have not been photographed with a person as thesubject, then it is arranged for the CPU 20 to reproduce all of theimages that are included in the paired image group in the order of theirphotographic time points.

When a plurality of paired photographic images that have beenphotographed with a plurality of electronic cameras and with a person asthe subject are simply reproduced in the order of their photographictime points, then sometimes it happens that they become difficult to seebecause the photographic angle changes rather frequently. However,according to the second embodiment described above it is possible, tosome extent, to reproduce paired photographic images of a person alltogether for each photographic angle, so that it is possible toimplement a slide show that gives a natural feeling effectively alongwith the movement of the person during photography. On the other hand,for paired photographic images of some subject other than a person, bysimply reproducing them in the order of their photographic time points,it is possible to implement a slide show along with the movement of thephotographic subject during photography.

According to the second embodiment and the variant embodiments thereofit is arranged for the CPU 20 to select and to reproduce only certainones among them as images for reproduction if there are a plurality ofimages that were photographed at approximately the same time point amongthe plurality of images that are included in the paired image group.Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the troublesomeness andunpleasantness of the same type of scene being repeated several times.

According to the second embodiment and the variant embodiments thereof,it is arranged for the CPU 20 to perform contour extraction analysisupon a plurality of images, among the plurality of images that areincluded in the paired image group, that were photographed atapproximately the same time point, and to select and to reproduce asimages for reproduction those images, among the plurality of images thatwere photographed at substantially the same time point, for which thecontour extraction amount is found to be great. As a result, it ispossible to select and to reproduce those images of good image qualityin which the amount of hand shaking is low.

According to the second embodiment and the variant embodiments thereof,it is arranged for the CPU 20 to perform smiling face detection analysisupon a plurality of images, among the plurality of images that areincluded in the paired image group, that were photographed atapproximately the same time point, and to select and to reproduce asimages for reproduction those images for which the level of smiling isfound to be the highest. Accordingly, it is possible to select and toreproduce those images in which smiling faces have been photographed.

Furthermore, when applied to a personal computer or the like, the imagereproduction program described above may be supplied via a recordingmedium such as a CD-ROM or the like, or via a data signal such as theinternet or the like. FIG. 22 is a figure showing this situation. Thepersonal computer 400 receives supply of the program via a CD-ROM 404.Moreover, the personal computer 400 has a function of connection to acommunication circuit 401. A computer 402 is a server computer thatsupplies the program described above, and stores the program on arecording medium such as a hard disk 403 or the like. The communicationcircuit 403 is the internet, a communication circuit such as personalcomputer communication or the like, or a dedicated communication circuitor the like. The computer 402 reads out the program using the hard disk403, and transmits the program to the personal computer 400 via thecommunication circuit 401. In other words, it transmits the program viathe communication circuit 401 as a data signal via a carrier wave. Inthis manner, the program can be supplied as a computer readable programproduct in various formats, such as a recording medium or a data signal(carrier wave) or the like.

The contents of the disclosures of the following patent applications,upon which priority is claimed, are hereby incorporated herein byreference:

Japanese Patent Application 2010-35,010 (filed on 19 Feb. 2010);

Japanese Patent Application 2010-35,013 (filed on 19 Feb. 2010);

Japanese Patent Application 2010-35,014 (filed on 19 Feb. 2010).

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: an imagesensor that captures an image; an operation unit comprising circuitrythat receives an input of an operation instruction; a communication unitcomprising a circuit that communicates with an external device having animage capture instruction unit that transmits an image captureinstruction to the image sensor; and a control unit comprising aprocessor that (i) transmits to the external device, via thecommunication unit, a signal indicating that an operation is beingperformed when the operation unit receives the input of the operationinstruction, and (ii) performs imaging by the image sensor, when theoperation is finished, if the image capture instruction is in the imagecapture instruction unit.
 2. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein: the control unit transmits to the external device a signalshowing that imaging is being performed.
 3. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein: the communication unit is provided with(i) a first communication unit that communicates with the externaldevice and (ii) a second communication unit, different from the firstcommunication unit, that is a wireless communicating means.
 4. Theelectronic device according to claim 3, wherein: the control unitreceives an image capture instruction from the image capture instructionunit via the second communication unit.
 5. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein: the second communication unit transmitsto the external device image data captured in accordance with the imagecapture instruction from the image capture instruction unit.
 6. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, further comprising: a storageunit that stores image data captured in accordance with the imagecapture instruction from the image capture instruction unit.